JP2016136755A - Radio communication device, processor, and communication control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly perform off-load in a cellular communication system.SOLUTION: A radio communication device related to a first characteristic supports cellular communication and wireless LAN communication. A protocol stack of the cellular communication includes a cellular lower layer consisting of a physical layer and a MAC layer, and a cellular upper layer higher than the MAC layer. The radio communication device comprises a control unit that sets a particular mode in which the protocol stack of the wireless LAN communication is used instead of the cellular lower layer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus, a processor, and a communication control method used in a cellular communication system.

  In recent years, user terminals (so-called dual terminals) supporting cellular communication and wireless LAN communication have been widely used. In addition, wireless LAN access points (hereinafter simply referred to as “access points”) managed by operators of cellular communication systems are increasing.

  Therefore, in 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), which is a standardization project for cellular communication systems, a technique that can enhance cooperation between the cellular communication system and the wireless LAN system will be studied (see Non-Patent Document 1).

3GPP contribution RP-121455

  For example, the traffic load of the cellular communication system can be reduced (offloaded) by switching the traffic transmitted and received by the user terminal to and from the base station by cellular communication to be transmitted and received by the access point by wireless LAN communication.

  However, when performing such switching, it is necessary to perform various settings for starting wireless LAN communication between the user terminal and the access point. Therefore, it has been difficult to quickly offload cellular communication systems.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a wireless communication apparatus, a processor, and a communication control method that can quickly perform offloading of a cellular communication system.

  The wireless communication apparatus according to the first feature supports cellular communication and wireless LAN communication. The protocol stack for cellular communication includes a cellular lower layer composed of a physical layer and a MAC layer, and a cellular upper layer higher than the MAC layer. The wireless communication apparatus includes a control unit that sets a specific mode in which the wireless LAN communication protocol stack is used instead of the cellular lower layer.

  The processor according to the second feature is provided in a wireless communication apparatus that supports cellular communication and wireless LAN communication. The protocol stack for cellular communication includes a cellular lower layer composed of a physical layer and a MAC layer, and a cellular upper layer higher than the MAC layer. The processor sets a specific mode in which the wireless LAN communication protocol stack is used instead of the cellular lower layer.

  The communication control method according to the third feature is used in a wireless communication apparatus that supports cellular communication and wireless LAN communication. The protocol stack for cellular communication includes a cellular lower layer composed of a physical layer and a MAC layer, and a cellular upper layer higher than the MAC layer. The communication control method includes a step of setting a specific mode in which the wireless LAN communication protocol stack is used instead of the cellular lower layer.

  The wireless communication apparatus, the processor, and the communication control method according to the present invention can quickly perform offloading of the cellular communication system.

It is a system configuration figure concerning an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware block of UE (user terminal) which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware block of eNB (base station) which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware block of AP (access point) which concerns on embodiment. It is a protocol stack figure of the radio | wireless interface in the cellular communication system concerning embodiment. It is a figure which shows the software block of eNB which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the software block of UE which concerns on embodiment.

[Outline of Embodiment]
The wireless communication apparatus according to the embodiment supports cellular communication and wireless LAN communication. The protocol stack for cellular communication includes a cellular lower layer composed of a physical layer and a MAC layer, and a cellular upper layer higher than the MAC layer. The wireless communication apparatus includes a control unit that sets a specific mode in which the wireless LAN communication protocol stack is used instead of the cellular lower layer.

  In the embodiment, the control unit selects, as the wireless LAN communication mode, one of the specific mode using the cellular upper layer and a normal mode not using the cellular upper layer.

  In the embodiment, the control unit selects the specific mode when traffic transmitted / received in the wireless LAN communication is traffic related to switching from the cellular communication to the wireless LAN communication.

  In the embodiment, the control unit selects the normal mode when traffic transmitted / received in the wireless LAN communication is not traffic related to switching from the cellular communication to the wireless LAN communication.

  In the embodiment, the cellular upper layer includes an RLC (Radio Link Control) layer.

  In the embodiment, the cellular upper layer includes a PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) layer.

  The processor according to the embodiment is provided in a wireless communication apparatus that supports cellular communication and wireless LAN communication. The protocol stack for cellular communication includes a cellular lower layer composed of a physical layer and a MAC layer, and a cellular upper layer higher than the MAC layer. The processor sets a specific mode in which the wireless LAN communication protocol stack is used instead of the cellular lower layer.

  The communication control method according to the embodiment is used in a wireless communication apparatus that supports cellular communication and wireless LAN communication. The protocol stack for cellular communication includes a cellular lower layer composed of a physical layer and a MAC layer, and a cellular upper layer higher than the MAC layer. The communication control method includes a step of setting a specific mode in which the wireless LAN communication protocol stack is used instead of the cellular lower layer.

[Embodiment]
Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, each embodiment in the case of linking a cellular communication system (LTE system) configured in accordance with the 3GPP standard with a wireless LAN (WLAN) system will be described.

(1) Overall Configuration FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the cellular communication system includes a plurality of UEs (User Equipment) 100, an E-UTRAN (Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) 10, and an EPC (Evolved Packet Core) 20. The E-UTRAN 10 corresponds to a radio access network. The EPC 20 corresponds to a core network.

  The UE 100 is a mobile radio communication device, and performs radio communication with a cell that has established a connection. UE100 is corresponded to a user terminal. The UE 100 is a terminal (dual terminal) that supports both cellular communication and WLAN communication methods.

  The E-UTRAN 10 includes a plurality of eNBs 200 (evolved Node-B). The eNB 200 is a fixed wireless communication device and corresponds to a base station (cellular base station). The eNB 200 manages one or a plurality of cells, and performs radio communication with the UE 100 that has established a connection with the own cell. Note that “cell” is used as a term indicating a minimum unit of a radio communication area, and is also used as a term indicating a function of performing radio communication with the UE 100. The eNB 200 includes, for example, a radio resource management (RRM) function, a user data relay function, and a measurement control function for mobility control and scheduling.

  The eNB 200 is connected to each other via the X2 interface. Moreover, eNB200 is connected with MME / S-GW500 contained in EPC20 via S1 interface.

  The EPC 20 includes a plurality of MME (Mobility Management Entity) / S-GW (Serving-Gateway) 500. The MME is a network node that performs various types of mobility control for the UE 100, and corresponds to a control station. The S-GW is a network node that performs transfer control of user data, and corresponds to an exchange.

  The WLAN system includes a WLAN AP (hereinafter referred to as “AP”) 300. The WLAN system is configured in accordance with, for example, IEEE 802.11 standards. The AP 300 communicates with the UE 100 in a frequency band (WLAN frequency band) different from the cellular frequency band. The AP 300 is connected to the EPC 20 via a router or the like.

  Note that the eNB 200 and the AP 300 are not limited to being individually arranged, and the eNB 200 and the AP 300 may be arranged at the same location (Collocated). As one form of Collated, the eNB 200 and the AP 300 may be directly connected by an arbitrary interface of the operator.

  EPC 20 further includes a cellular authentication server 600 that performs network authentication of UE 100 in the cellular communication system, and a WLAN authentication server 700 that performs network authentication of UE 100 in the WLAN system. If the UE 100 succeeds in network authentication by the cellular authentication server 600, the UE 100 can connect to the cellular communication system. Further, when the UE 100 succeeds in network authentication by the WLAN authentication server 700, the UE 100 can connect to the WLAN system.

(2) Hardware configuration of UE 100 FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating hardware blocks of the UE 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the UE 100 includes antennas 101 and 102, a cellular transceiver 111, a WLAN transceiver 112, a user interface 120, a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver 130, a battery 140, and a memory. 150 and a processor 160. The memory 150 and the processor 160 constitute a control unit. The UE 100 may not have the GNSS receiver 130. Further, the memory 150 may be integrated with the processor 160, and this set (that is, a chip set) may be used as the processor 160 ′.

  The antenna 101 and the cellular transceiver 111 are used for transmitting and receiving cellular radio signals. The cellular transceiver 111 converts the baseband signal output from the processor 160 into a cellular radio signal and transmits it from the antenna 101. In addition, the cellular transceiver 111 converts the cellular radio signal received by the antenna 101 into a baseband signal and outputs it to the processor 160.

  The antenna 102 and the WLAN transceiver 112 are used for transmitting and receiving WLAN radio signals. The WLAN transceiver 112 converts the baseband signal output from the processor 160 into a WLAN radio signal and transmits it from the antenna 102. Further, the WLAN transceiver 112 converts the WLAN radio signal received by the antenna 102 into a baseband signal and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 160.

  The WLAN transceiver 112 is assigned a MAC address (hereinafter referred to as “WLAN MAC-ID”) as an identifier of the UE 100 in the WLAN system. The WLAN radio signal transmitted and received by the WLAN transceiver 112 includes a WLAN MAC-ID.

  The user interface 120 is an interface with a user who owns the UE 100, and includes, for example, a display, a microphone, a speaker, and various buttons. The user interface 120 receives an input from the user and outputs a signal indicating the content of the input to the processor 160. The GNSS receiver 130 receives a GNSS signal and outputs the received signal to the processor 160 in order to obtain location information indicating the geographical location of the UE 100. The battery 140 stores power to be supplied to each block of the UE 100.

  The memory 150 stores a program executed by the processor 160 and information used for processing by the processor 160. The processor 160 includes a baseband processor that performs modulation / demodulation and encoding / decoding of a baseband signal, and a CPU that executes programs stored in the memory 150 and performs various processes. The processor 160 may further include a codec that performs encoding / decoding of an audio / video signal. The processor 160 executes various processes and various communication protocols described later.

(3) Hardware Configuration of eNB 200 FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating hardware blocks of the eNB 200. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the eNB 200 includes an antenna 201, a cellular transceiver 211, a network interface 220, a memory 230, and a processor 240. The memory 230 and the processor 240 constitute a control unit.

  The antenna 201 and the cellular transceiver 211 are used for transmitting and receiving cellular radio signals. The cellular transceiver 211 converts the baseband signal output from the processor 240 into a cellular radio signal and transmits it from the antenna 201. In addition, the cellular transceiver 211 converts a cellular radio signal received by the antenna 201 into a baseband signal and outputs it to the processor 240.

  The network interface 220 is connected to the neighboring eNB 200 via the X2 interface, and is connected to the MME / S-GW 500 via the S1 interface. The network interface 220 is used for communication with the AP 300 via the EPC 20.

  The memory 230 stores a program executed by the processor 240 and information used for processing by the processor 240. The processor 240 includes a baseband processor that performs modulation / demodulation and encoding / decoding of a baseband signal, and a CPU that executes a program stored in the memory 230 and performs various processes. The processor 240 executes various processes and various communication protocols described later.

  In addition, eNB200 which concerns on Collated may have the function of AP300. In this case, the eNB 200 further includes an antenna 202 and a WLAN transceiver 212 that are used for transmitting and receiving WLAN radio signals. The WLAN transceiver 212 converts the baseband signal output from the processor 240 into a WLAN radio signal and transmits it from the antenna 202. Also, the WLAN transceiver 212 converts the WLAN radio signal received by the antenna 202 into a baseband signal and outputs it to the processor 240.

(4) Hardware configuration of AP 300 FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating hardware blocks of the AP 300. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the AP 300 includes an antenna 301, a WLAN transceiver 311, a network interface 320, a memory 330, and a processor 340.

  The antenna 301 and the WLAN transceiver 311 are used for transmitting and receiving WLAN radio signals. The WLAN transceiver 311 converts the baseband signal output from the processor 340 into a WLAN radio signal and transmits it from the antenna 301. In addition, the WLAN transceiver 311 converts the WLAN radio signal received by the antenna 301 into a baseband signal and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 340.

  The network interface 320 is connected to the EPC 20 via a router or the like. The network interface 320 is used for communication with the eNB 200 via the EPC 20.

  The memory 330 stores a program executed by the processor 340 and information used for processing by the processor 340. The processor 340 includes a baseband processor that performs modulation / demodulation and encoding / decoding of the baseband signal, and a CPU that executes programs stored in the memory 330 and performs various processes.

(5) Cellular Protocol Stack FIG. 5 is a protocol stack diagram of a radio interface in the cellular communication system. As shown in FIG. 5, the radio interface protocol is divided into the first to third layers of the OSI reference model, and the first layer is a physical (PHY) layer. The second layer includes a MAC (Media Access Control) layer, an RLC (Radio Link Control) layer, and a PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) layer. The third layer includes an RRC (Radio Resource Control) layer.

  The physical layer performs encoding / decoding, modulation / demodulation, antenna mapping / demapping, and resource mapping / demapping. Data is transmitted through the physical channel between the physical layer of the UE 100 and the physical layer of the eNB 200.

  The MAC layer performs data priority control, retransmission processing by hybrid ARQ (HARQ), and the like. Data is transmitted between the MAC layer of the UE 100 and the MAC layer of the eNB 200 via a transport channel. The MAC layer of the eNB 200 includes an uplink / downlink transport format (transport block size, modulation / coding scheme, etc.) and a scheduler that selects an allocated resource block.

  The RLC layer transmits data to the RLC layer on the receiving side using the functions of the MAC layer and the physical layer. Data is transmitted between the RLC layer of the UE 100 and the RLC layer of the eNB 200 via a logical channel.

  The PDCP layer performs header compression / decompression and encryption / decryption.

  The RRC layer is defined only in the control plane. Control messages (RRC messages) for various settings are transmitted between the RRC layer of the UE 100 and the RRC layer of the eNB 200. The RRC layer controls the logical channel, the transport channel, and the physical channel according to establishment, re-establishment, and release of the radio bearer. When there is a connection (RRC connection) between the RRC of the UE 100 and the RRC of the eNB 200, the UE 100 is in a connected state (RRC connected state), and otherwise, the UE 100 is in an idle state (RRC idle state).

  A NAS (Non-Access Stratum) layer located above the RRC layer performs session management, mobility management, and the like.

(6) Software configuration of eNB 200 according to Collocated Next, the software configuration of the eNB 200 according to Collocated will be described. As described above, the eNB 200 according to Collocated has not only the cellular transceiver 211 but also the WLAN transceiver 212 as a hardware configuration.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating software blocks of the eNB 200.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, the eNB 200 performs a traffic (user data) relay process between the EPC 20 and the UE 100. The processor 240 of the eNB 200 executes a cellular communication protocol stack. The cellular communication protocol stack includes a physical layer 241, a MAC layer 242, and an RLC layer 243. As described above, the cellular communication protocol stack further includes a PDCP layer (and an RRC layer). In the embodiment, the physical layer 241 and the MAC layer 242 constitute a cellular lower layer, and the RLC layer 243 and the PDCP layer constitute a cellular upper layer.

  In the uplink of cellular communication, user data received by the cellular transceiver 211 of the eNB 200 from the UE 100 is processed in the order of the physical layer 241, the MAC layer 242, the RLC layer 243, and the PDCP layer, and then via the network interface 220. It is transmitted to EPC20. On the other hand, in the downlink of cellular communication, user data received by the network interface 220 of the eNB 200 from the EPC 20 is processed in the order of the PDCP layer, the RLC layer 243, the MAC layer 242, and the physical layer 241, and then the cellular transceiver 211 is transmitted. Via the UE 100.

  The processor 240 of the eNB 200 further executes a protocol stack (WLAN protocol stack) 244 for WLAN communication. The WLAN protocol stack 244 includes a physical layer and a MAC layer.

  Normally, user data received by the WLAN transceiver 212 of the eNB 200 from the UE 100 in the uplink of WLAN communication is processed by the WLAN protocol stack 244 and then transmitted to the EPC 20 via the network interface 220. On the other hand, in the downlink of WLAN communication, user data received by the network interface 220 of the eNB 200 from the EPC 20 is processed by the WLAN protocol stack 244 and then transmitted to the UE 100 via the WLAN transceiver 212. Such a normal WLAN communication mode is referred to as a “normal mode”.

  The processor 240 of the eNB 200 further executes the function of the selection unit 245 that selects either the normal mode or the offload mode (specific mode) as the mode to be set for WLAN communication. Here, the “offload mode” is a mode in which the WLAN protocol stack 244 is used instead of the cellular lower layer (physical layer 241 and MAC layer 242).

  The selection unit 245 refers to the selection list 231 stored in the memory 230 of the eNB 200 and selects either the normal mode or the offload mode. The selection list 231 is a list in which the WLAN MAC-ID of the UE 100 to which the offload mode is to be applied is recorded. For example, when the WLAN MAC-ID included in the uplink data processed by the WLAN protocol stack 244 exists in the selection list 231, the selection unit 245 converts the uplink data into the cellular upper layer (RLC layer 243 and To the PDCP layer).

  In the offload mode, user data received by the WLAN transceiver 212 of the eNB 200 from the UE 100 in the uplink of WLAN communication is processed by the WLAN protocol stack 244 and then processed by the cellular upper layer (RLC layer 243 and PDCP layer). And transmitted to the EPC 20 via the network interface 220. On the other hand, in the downlink of WLAN communication, user data received by the network interface 220 of the eNB 200 from the EPC 20 is processed by the cellular upper layer (RLC layer 243 and PDCP layer), and then processed by the WLAN protocol stack 244, and the WLAN It is transmitted to the UE 100 via the transceiver 212.

  Thus, since the cellular upper layer is used in the offload mode, the EPC 20 recognizes that the eNB 200 is performing the cellular communication even though the eNB 200 is performing the WLAN communication. Therefore, when switching from cellular communication to WLAN communication (offload mode), authentication by the WLAN authentication server 700 can be omitted.

(7) Software configuration of UE 100 FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating software blocks of the UE 100. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the processor 160 of the UE 100 executes an application 166 that transmits and receives traffic (user data) to and from the EPC 20 via the eNB 200.

  Further, the processor 160 of the UE 100 executes a protocol stack for cellular communication. The cellular communication protocol stack includes a physical layer 161, a MAC layer 162, and an RLC layer 163. As described above, the cellular communication protocol stack further includes a PDCP layer (and an RRC layer). In the embodiment, the physical layer 161 and the MAC layer 162 constitute a cellular lower layer, and the RLC layer 163 and the PDCP layer constitute a cellular upper layer.

  In the uplink of cellular communication, user data generated by the application 166 is processed in the order of the PDCP layer, the RLC layer 163, the MAC layer 162, and the physical layer 161, and then transmitted to the eNB 200 via the cellular transceiver 111. The On the other hand, in the downlink of cellular communication, user data received by the cellular transceiver 111 of the UE 100 from the eNB 200 is processed in the order of the physical layer 161, the MAC layer 162, the RLC layer 163, and the PDCP layer, and then passed to the application 166. It is.

  The processor 160 of the UE 100 further executes a protocol stack (WLAN protocol stack) 164 for WLAN communication. The WLAN protocol stack 164 includes a physical layer and a MAC layer.

  Normally, in the uplink of WLAN communication, user data generated by the application 166 is processed by the WLAN protocol stack 164 and then transmitted to the eNB 200 via the WLAN transceiver 112. On the other hand, in the downlink of WLAN communication, user data received by the WLAN transceiver 112 of the UE 100 from the eNB 200 is processed by the WLAN protocol stack 164 and then passed to the application 166. Such a normal WLAN communication mode is referred to as a “normal mode”.

  The processor 160 of the UE 100 further executes a function of a selection unit 165 that selects either a normal mode or an offload mode (specific mode) as a mode to be set for WLAN communication. Here, the “offload mode” is a mode in which the WLAN protocol stack 164 is used instead of the cellular lower layer (physical layer 161 and MAC layer 162). The selection unit 165 selects either the normal mode or the offload mode depending on whether or not the offload is being performed.

  In the offload mode, in the uplink of WLAN communication, user data generated by the application 166 is processed by the cellular upper layer (RLC layer 163 and PDCP layer) and then processed by the WLAN protocol stack 164 to transmit and receive WLAN. Is transmitted to the eNB 200 via the machine 112. On the other hand, in the downlink of WLAN communication, user data received by the WLAN transceiver 112 of the UE 100 from the eNB 200 is processed by the WLAN protocol stack 164 and then processed by the cellular upper layer (RLC layer 163 and PDCP layer). Passed to application 166.

(8) Operation According to Embodiment Next, operations of the eNB 200 illustrated in FIG. 6 and the UE 100 illustrated in FIG. 7 will be described. Here, the operation in the case of performing offloading of cellular communication by switching the traffic that the UE 100 transmits / receives to / from the eNB 200 to the WLAN communication will be described.

  As a first step, the eNB 200 and the UE 100 perform cellular communication. Specifically, the eNB 200 and the UE 100 transmit and receive uplink and downlink traffic.

  As a second step, the eNB 200 determines to perform offload from the cellular to the WLAN, for example, when the load level of the cellular communication exceeds a threshold value. Here, the load level of cellular communication means a traffic load in cellular communication, a radio resource usage rate in cellular communication, or the like.

  As a third step, the eNB 200 transmits to the UE 100 an offload instruction for instructing offload from the cellular to the WLAN. Note that, when the UE 100 transmits / receives a plurality of types of traffic (a plurality of bearers) to / from the eNB 200, the eNB 200 may include the traffic type (bearer identification information) to be offloaded in the offload instruction.

  As a fourth step, the UE 100 selects an offload mode in response to the reception of the offload instruction, and starts WLAN communication with the eNB 200. Note that the UE 100 preferably switches the WLAN transceiver 112 to the on state when the WLAN transceiver 112 is in the off state when the offload instruction is received. The eNB 200 selects the offload mode in response to the transmission of the offload instruction, and starts WLAN communication with the UE 100.

  As described above, in the offload mode, the lower layer is switched to the WLAN, but the cellular is taken over in the upper layer. In the offload mode, the EPC 20 recognizes that the eNB 200 is performing cellular communication. Therefore, the eNB 200 and the UE 100 can smoothly (seamlessly) switch from the cellular communication to the WLAN communication without performing complicated settings.

(9) Summary Each of the eNB 200 and the UE 100 sets an offload mode that uses the WLAN protocol stack instead of the cellular lower layer. Thereby, eNB200 and UE100 can be seamlessly switched from cellular communication to WLAN communication, without performing complicated settings.

  In the embodiment, each of the eNB 200 and the UE 100 selects one of an offload mode using the cellular upper layer and a normal mode not using the cellular upper layer as the WLAN communication mode. Specifically, the offload mode is selected when traffic transmitted / received in WLAN communication is traffic related to switching from cellular communication to WLAN communication. On the other hand, when the traffic transmitted and received in WLAN communication is not traffic related to switching from cellular communication to WLAN communication, the normal mode is selected. Thereby, the mode of WLAN communication can be set appropriately.

  In an embodiment, the cellular upper layer includes an RLC layer and a PDCP layer. Therefore, when the cellular communication is switched to the WLAN communication (offload mode), the settings of the RLC layer and the PDCP layer can be taken over by the WLAN communication. Therefore, the cellular communication can be seamlessly switched to the WLAN communication.

[Other Embodiments]
In the above-described embodiment, the type of eNB 200 related to Collated is not particularly mentioned. Is preferred. This is because it is possible to smoothly perform offload from cellular to WLAN by overlapping cellular coverage and WLAN coverage.

  In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the UE 100 supports WLAN communication. However, since there is also a UE 100 that does not support WLAN communication, the UE 100 may transmit information about whether to support WLAN communication to the eNB 200 at the start of cellular communication or at the time of a request from the eNB 200.

  In the above-described embodiment, the mode using the WLAN protocol stack instead of the cellular lower layer is referred to as an offload mode, and is used for offloading from the cellular to the WLAN. However, such a mode may be applied to uses other than off-road.

  In the above-described embodiment, the LTE system has been described as an example of the cellular communication system. However, the present invention is not limited to the LTE system, and the present invention may be applied to a system other than the LTE system.

  E-UTRAN 10, EPC 20, UE 100, antennas 101 and 102, cellular transceiver 111, WLAN transceiver 112, user interface 120, GNSS receiver 130, battery 140, memory 150, processor 160, eNB 200, antennas 201 and 202, cellular transmission and reception 211, WLAN transceiver 212, network interface 220, memory 230, processor 240, AP300, antenna 301, WLAN transceiver 311, network interface 320, memory 330, processor 340, MME / S-GW500, cellular authentication server 600, WLAN Authentication server 700

Claims (8)

A wireless communication device that supports cellular communication and wireless LAN communication,
The cellular communication protocol stack includes a cellular lower layer composed of a physical layer and a MAC layer, and a cellular upper layer higher than the MAC layer,
The wireless communication apparatus includes a control unit that sets a specific mode in which the wireless LAN communication protocol stack is used instead of the cellular lower layer.   The control unit selects, as the wireless LAN communication mode, any one of the specific mode using the cellular upper layer and a normal mode not using the cellular upper layer. A wireless communication device according to 1.   The said control part selects the said specific mode, when the traffic transmitted / received in the said wireless LAN communication is the traffic which concerns on the switch from the said cellular communication to the said wireless LAN communication, The said specific mode is characterized by the above-mentioned. Wireless communication device.   The control unit selects the normal mode when traffic transmitted / received in the wireless LAN communication is not traffic related to switching from the cellular communication to the wireless LAN communication. Wireless communication device.   The radio communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cellular upper layer includes an RLC (Radio Link Control) layer.   The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cellular upper layer includes a PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) layer. A processor provided in a wireless communication device that supports cellular communication and wireless LAN communication,
The cellular communication protocol stack includes a cellular lower layer composed of a physical layer and a MAC layer, and a cellular upper layer higher than the MAC layer,
The processor sets a specific mode using the wireless LAN communication protocol stack instead of the cellular lower layer. A communication control method used in a wireless communication device that supports cellular communication and wireless LAN communication,
The cellular communication protocol stack includes a cellular lower layer composed of a physical layer and a MAC layer, and a cellular upper layer higher than the MAC layer,
The communication control method includes a step of setting a specific mode in which the wireless LAN communication protocol stack is used instead of the cellular lower layer.

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