WO2017058073A1

WO2017058073A1 - Methods of operating wlan termination nodes and related base stations and termination nodes

Info

Publication number: WO2017058073A1
Application number: PCT/SE2016/050567
Authority: WO
Inventors: Markus DREVÖ; Rasmus AXÉN; Paul Schliwa-Bertling; Gino Luca Masini; Stefan Engström
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2015-10-02
Filing date: 2016-06-13
Publication date: 2017-04-06

Abstract

According to one example embodiment, a request (951) may be received by a WLAN termination node from a base station of a RAN to establish a data connection between the base station and a wireless terminal through the WLAN termination node and a WLAN access point. The request may include an identification of the wireless terminal and/or an identification of the WLAN access point. Downlink user data for the wireless terminal may be received (957) by the WLAN termination node from the base station and the received downlink user data may be transmitted (959) through the WLAN access point to the wireless terminal. Responsive to transmitting the downlink user data and/or responsive to establishing a connection with the wireless terminal, an indication of reception of the downlink user data at the wireless terminal and/or an indication of connection with the wireless terminal may be transmitted (961) to the base station.

Description

METHODS OF OPERATING WLAN TERMINATION NODES AND RELATED BASE

STATIONS AND TERMINATION NODES

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to communications, and more particularly to WLAN communications and related methods and nodes.

BACKGROUND

[0002] LTE and WLAN aggregation (LWA) is a feature where a wireless terminal

(also referred to as a mobile terminal, a UE, a user equipment, a user equipment node, etc.) may receive and transmit using radio links with both an eNB (also referred to as base stations) and a WLAN access point AP, and LWA is currently being standardized by 3GPP in Release 13 as part of [RP-150510], revised in [RP-151114]. In a split bearer architecture option of LTE/WLAN aggregation, the downlink data may be split on the PDCP layer in the eNB. The eNB may route PDCP PDUs dynamically via eNB RLC to the UE directly, or via a backhaul channel to WLAN and then to the UE. In a separate bearer architecture, lower layers of a bearer may be switched to LTE or WLAN meaning all PDCP packets of that bearer are routed via either LTE or WLAN side.

[0003] 3 GPP is thus standardizing functionality enabling an eNodeB (i.e., a base station for a EUTRAN cell) to send data intended for a UE (that is connected to the eNodeB) to a WLAN access point (AP) for transfer to the UE. Currently, the network operator may need to manually configure, for each EUTRAN cell, information about which access points a wireless terminal UE could access for data transfer in parallel with the connection in the EUTRAN cell.

[0004] The approaches described above could be pursued, but are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described above are not prior art to embodiments in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion above.

SUMMARY

[0005] According to some embodiments of inventive concepts a method may be provided to operate a wireless local area network (WLAN) termination node of a WLAN network including a plurality of WLAN access points. A request may be received from a base station of a radio access network (RAN) to establish a data connection between the base station and a wireless terminal through the WLAN termination node and a WLAN access point. The request may include at least one of an identification of the wireless terminal and/or an identification of the WLAN access point. Downlink user data for the wireless terminal may be received from the base station, and the downlink user data may be transmitted through the WLAN access point to the wireless terminal. Responsive to transmitting the downlink user data to the wireless terminal and/or responsive to establishing a connection with the wireless terminal through the WLAN access point, an indication of reception of the downlink user data at the wireless terminal and/or an indication of connection with the wireless terminal may be transmitted to the base station.

[0006] According to some other embodiments of inventive concepts a method may be provided to operate a base station of a radio access network (RAN) in communication with a wireless terminal. A report may be received from the wireless terminal including information relating to a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP), and a request may be transmitted to a WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station and the wireless terminal through the WLAN termination node. Responsive to receiving an indication of reception of data at the wireless terminal from the base station through the WLAN termination node and the WLAN access point and/or responsive to receiving an indication of connection of the wireless terminal to the WLAN access point, at least a portion of the information for the WLAN access point may be added to a neighbor relation table in memory of the base station.

[0007] According to still other embodiments of inventive concepts, a wireless local area network (WLAN) termination node may be provided for use in connection with a plurality of WLAN access points. The WLAN termination node may include a network interface configured to provide communication with the plurality of WLAN access points and with a base station of a radio access network, and a processor coupled with the network interface. The processor may be configured to communicate with the base station and the plurality of WLAN access points through the network interface. The processor may be configured to receive a request through the network interface from the base station to establish a data connection between the base station and a wireless terminal through the WLAN termination node and a WLAN access point, wherein the request includes at least one of an identification of the wireless terminal and/or an identification of the WLAN access point. The processor may be configured to receive downlink user data for the wireless terminal through the network interface from the base station, and to transmit the downlink user data through the network interface and the WLAN access point to the wireless terminal. The processor may be configured to transmit an indication of reception of the downlink user data at the wireless terminal through the network interface to the base station and/or an indication of connection with the wireless terminal through the network interface to the base station, responsive to transmitting the downlink user data to the wireless terminal and/or responsive to establishing a connection with the wireless terminal through the WLAN access point.

[0008] According to yet other embodiments of inventive concepts a base station of a radio access network (RAN) may be provided. The base station may include a network interface configured to provide communication with a WLAN termination node, a wireless interface configured to provide wireless communication with a plurality of wireless terminals in a coverage area of the base station, and a processor coupled to the network interface and to the wireless interface. The processor may be configured to communicate with the WLAN termination node through the network interface and to communicate with the wireless terminal through the wireless interface. The processor may be configured to receive a report through the wireless interface from the wireless terminal including information relating to a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP). The processor may be configured to transmit a request through the network interface to a WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station and the wireless terminal through the WLAN termination node. The processor may be configured to add at least a portion of the information for the WLAN access point to a neighbor relation table in memory of the base station, responsive to receiving an indication of reception of data at the wireless terminal from the base station through the WLAN termination node and the WLAN access point and/or responsive to receiving an indication of connection of the wireless terminal to the WLAN access point.

[0009] According to more embodiments of inventive concepts a wireless local area network (WLAN) termination node may be provided for use in connection with a plurality of WLAN access points. The WLAN termination node may be adapted to receive a request from a base station of a radio access network (RAN) to establish a data connection between the base station and a wireless terminal through the WLAN termination node and a WLAN access point, wherein the request includes at least one of an identification of the wireless terminal and/or an identification of the WLAN access point. The WLAN termination node may be adapted to receive downlink user data for the wireless terminal from the base station, and to transmit the downlink user data through the WLAN access point to the wireless terminal. The WLAN termination node may be adapted to transmit an indication of reception of the downlink user data at the wireless terminal to the base station and/or an indication of connection with the wireless terminal to the base station, responsive to transmitting the downlink user data to the wireless terminal and/or responsive to establishing a connection with the wireless terminal through the WLAN access point.

[0010] According to still more embodiments of inventive concepts a base station of a radio access network (RAN) may be provided. The base station may be adapted to receive a report from a wireless terminal including information relating to a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP). The base station may be adapted to transmit a request to a WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station and the wireless terminal through the WLAN termination node. The base station may be adapted to add at least a portion of the information for the WLAN access point to a neighbor relation table in memory of the base station, responsive to receiving an indication of reception of data at the wireless terminal from the base station through the WLAN termination node and the WLAN access point and/or responsive to receiving an indication of connection of the wireless terminal to the WLAN access point.

[0011] According to yet more embodiments of inventive concepts, a wireless local area network (WLAN) termination node of a WLAN network including a plurality of WLAN access points may be provided. The WLAN termination node may include a request reception module, a downlink user data reception module, a downlink user data transmission module, and a fist indication transmission module. The request reception module may be configured to receive a request from a base station of a radio access network (RAN) to establish a data connection between the base station and a wireless terminal through the WLAN termination node and a WLAN access point. The request may include at least one of an identification of the wireless terminal and/or an identification of the WLAN access point. The downlink user data reception module may be configured to receive downlink user data for the wireless terminal from the base station, and the downlink user data transmission module may be configured to transmit the downlink user data through the WLAN access point to the wireless terminal. The first indication transmission module may be configured to transmit an indication of reception of the downlink user data at the wireless terminal to the base station and/or an indication of connection with the wireless terminal to the base station, responsive to transmitting the downlink user data to the wireless terminal and/or responsive to establishing a connection with the wireless terminal through the WLAN access point.

[0012] According to further embodiments of inventive concepts, a base station of a radio access network (RAN) in communication with a wireless terminal may be provided. The base station may include a report reception module, a request transmission module, and a first information addition module. The report reception module may be configured to receive a report from the wireless terminal including information relating to a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP). The request transmission module may be configured to transmit a request to a WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station and the wireless terminal through the WLAN termination node. The first information addition module may be configured to add at least a portion of the information for the WLAN access point to a neighbor relation table in memory of the base station, responsive to receiving an indication of reception of data at the wireless terminal from the base station through the WLAN termination node and the WLAN access point and/or responsive to receiving an indication of connection of the wireless terminal to the WLAN access point.

[0013] According to some embodiments herein, a base station may be automatically configured with WLAN access points that can be used for traffic aggregation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in a constitute a part of this application, illustrate certain non-limiting embodiments of inventive concepts. In the drawings:

[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication network including base stations coupled to WLAN termination nodes and WLAN access points according to some embodiments of inventive concepts;

[0016] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a WLAN termination node of Figure 1 ;

[0017] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating a base station of Figure 1;

[0018] Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating an access point of Figure 1;

[0019] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless terminal of Figure 1;

[0020] Figure 6 is a messaging diagram illustrating WLAN reporting according to some embodiments of inventive concepts;

[0021] Figure 7 is a messaging diagram illustrating termination node confirmation according to some embodiments of inventive concepts;

[0022] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating communication nodes according to some embodiments of inventive concepts; [0023] Figure 9 is a flow chart illustrating operations of WLAN termination nodes and Figure 10 is a block diagram illustrating related modules according to some embodiments of inventive concepts; and

[0024] Figure 11 is a flow chart illustrating operations of a radio access network node and Figure 12 is a block diagram illustrating related modules according to some embodiments of inventive concepts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Inventive concepts will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which examples of embodiments of inventive concepts are shown. Inventive concepts may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of present inventive concepts to those skilled in the art. It should also be noted that these embodiments are not mutually exclusive. Components from one embodiment may be tacitly assumed to be present/used in another embodiment.

[0026] Although various embodiments are disclosed herein in the context of being performed by a UE and/or a network node, they are not limited thereto and instead can be performed in any type of electronic communication device or system.

[0027] Note that although terminology from LTE and WLAN is generally used in this disclosure to exemplify embodiments of inventive concepts, this should not be seen as limiting the scope of inventive concepts to only these systems. Other wireless systems, including variations and successors of 3GPP LTE and WCDMA systems, WiMAX

(Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access), GSM (Global System for Mobile

Communications), etc., may also benefit from exploiting embodiments of present inventive concepts disclosed herein.

[0028] Also note that terminology such as base station (also referred to as NodeB, eNB, eNodeB, or Evolved Node B) and wireless terminal or mobile terminal (also referred to as User Equipment, User Equipment node, or UE) should be considered as non-limiting and does not imply a certain hierarchical relation between the two. In general, a base station (e.g., a "NodeB" or "eNodeB") and a wireless terminal (e.g., a "UE") may be considered as examples of respective different communications devices that communicate with each other over a wireless radio channel. [0029] Embodiments disclosed herein may be provided in the context of integration of LTE and WLAN. It should be understood, however, that embodiments herein may also be applicable to wireless access networks and/or User Equipment (UE) implementing other access technologies and/or standards. LTE and WLAN are used as examples of technologies where some embodiments may be suitable, and discussion of LTE and WLAN herein may be useful to understand some embodiments.

[0030] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating base stations (e.g., eNBs or eNodeBs) 1101a and 1101b of a cellular mobile communications network, wherein base stations 1 lOla/1101b may be coupled through WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) termination (WT) nodes 1001 and 1002 to WLAN access points 1201. Each base station 1 lOla/1101b may provide service over a respective coverage area CA/CB that may be divided into respective cells. For example, base station 1101a may provide coverage over respective cells CI a, Clb, and Clc making up coverage area CA, and base station 1101b may provide coverage over respective cells C2a, C2b, and C2c making up coverage area CA. Base station 1101a may thus provide uplink and downlink communications with wireless terminal (UE) 1301 through cell CI a, and base station 1101a may provide uplink and downlink communications with wireless terminal (UE) 1302 through cell Clb.

[0031] Using LTE-WLAN aggregation (LWA), base station 1101a may configure wireless terminal 1301 to use radio resources of base station 1101a and/or to use radio resources of one or more of WLAN access points 1201 (e.g., AP-1 and AP-2) through WLAN termination node 1001 while wireless terminal 1301 is in an RRC connected state. Similarly, base station 1101a may configure wireless terminal 1302 to use radio resources of base station 1101a and/or to use radio resources of one or more of WLAN access points 1201 (e.g., ΑΡ- and AP-2') through WLAN termination node 1002 while wireless terminal 1302 is in an RRC connected state. Operations of LWA are discussed in greater detail below.

[0032] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating WLAN termination (WT) node of

Figure 1 according to some embodiments. As shown, WT node 1001 (or 1002) may include processor 1003 coupled between memory 1007 and network interface 1005, and WT node 1001 may be configured to carry out at least some of the respective functionality described herein. Network interface 1005 may be configured to provide network communications with one or more base stations 1101a and 1101b, and to provide network communications with one or more WLAN APs 1201 (e.g., AP-1, AP-2, ... AP-n for WT node 1001, or AP-1 ' and AP-2' for WT node 1002). Processor 1003 (also referred to as a processor circuit or processing circuitry) may include one or more data processing circuits, such as a general purpose and/or special purpose processor (e.g., microprocessor and/or digital signal processor). Processor 1003 may be configured to execute computer program instructions from functional modules in memory 1007 (also referred to as a memory circuit or memory circuitry), described below as a computer readable medium, to perform some or all of the operations and methods that are described herein for one or more of the embodiments. The WLAN termination WT node (also referred to as a termination node, or WLAN termination point) in the network is denoted WLAN termination (WT) and may be implemented by a WLAN access point (AP) and/or WLAN access controller (AC) or any other WLAN network node. The interface protocol between eNB and WT may be denoted Xw.

[0033] According to some embodiments, the WLAN termination node may be physically separated from base station(s) and from the WLAN access point(s). For example, the WLAN termination node may be a logical node that is physically integrated with a WLAN access controller. An access controller is a node used to manage and configure access points according to various implementations, and access controllers may apply to a wide range of wireless LAN applications. In a public wireless LAN, for example, an access controller may regulate access to the Internet by authenticating and authorizing users based on a subscription plan. In a private wireless LAN, a corporation may implement an access controller to reduce risk of a nearby hacker gaining entry to sensitive data and/or

applications.

[0034] According to some other embodiments, the WLAN termination node may be a logical node that is physically integrated with a base station. According to still other embodiments, the WLAN termination node may be a logical node that is physically integrated with the WLAN access point. Moreover, the WLAN termination node may be coupled with one or more base stations over an Xw interface(s) so that communications between the WLAN termination node and a base station are transmitted/received over an Xw interface.

[0035] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating a base station 1101 of the cellular mobile communication network of Figure 1 according to some embodiments. As shown, base station 1101 (e.g., 1101a or 1101b) may include processor 1103 coupled with wireless interface 1107, memory 1109, and network interface 1105, and base station 1101 may be configured to carry out at least some of the respective functionality described herein.

Network interface 1105 may be configured to provide network communications with one or more other base stations 1 lOla/1101b, and to provide network communications with one or more WT nodes 1001/1002. Wireless interface 1107 may be configured to provide wireless communications over cells (e.g., Cla, Clb, and Clc) with wireless terminals (e.g., 1301 and 1302) in a respective coverage area (e.g., CA or CB). Processor 1103 (also referred to as a processor circuit or processing circuitry) may include one or more data processing circuits, such as a general purpose and/or special purpose processor (e.g., microprocessor and/or digital signal processor). Processor 1103 may be configured to execute computer program instructions from functional modules in memory 1109 (also referred to as a memory circuit or memory circuitry), described below as a computer readable medium, to perform some or all of the operations and methods that are described herein for one or more of the embodiments.

[0036] Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating an access point (AP) 1201 (e.g., a

WLAN access point) of a WLAN network of Figure 1 according to some embodiments. As shown, AP 1201 (e.g., AP-1, AP-2, AP-n, AP-1 ', AP-2', etc.) may include processor 1203 coupled with network interface 1205, memory 1207, and wireless interface 1209, and AP 1201 may be configured to carry out at least some of the respective functionality described herein. Network interface 1205 may be configured to provide network

communications with one or more WT nodes 1001/1002. Wireless interface 1209 may be configured to provide wireless communications with wireless terminals (e.g., 1301 and 1302) in a respective coverage area of the AP. Processor 1203 (also referred to as a processor circuit or processing circuitry) may include one or more data processing circuits, such as a general purpose and/or special purpose processor (e.g., microprocessor and/or digital signal processor). Processor 1203 may be configured to execute computer program instructions from functional modules in memory 1207 (also referred to as a memory circuit or memory circuitry), described below as a computer readable medium, to perform some or all of the operations and methods that are described herein for one or more of the embodiments.

[0037] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless terminal (UE) 1301 (or

1302) that can communicate wirelessly with one or more base stations 1 lOla/1101b and/or with one or more APs 1201 of Figure 1. As shown, wireless terminal 1301 may include processor 1303 coupled with network wireless interface 1305, memory 1307, and user interface 1309 (e.g., including a display, a keypad, a touch sensitive display, a microphone, a speaker, one or more buttons, etc.), and wireless terminal 1301 may be configured to carry out at least some of the respective functionality described herein. User interface 1309 may be configured to provide visual/audio output and/or to accept user input. Wireless interface 1305 may be configured to provide wireless communications with one or more APs 1201 and/or with one or more base stations 1101. Wireless interface 1305 may include an LTE transceiver for communication with base stations 1101 of the cellular mobile communication network, and a WLAN transceiver for communication with APs 1201. Processor 1303 (also referred to as a processor circuit or processing circuitry) may include one or more data processing circuits, such as a general purpose and/or special purpose processor (e.g., microprocessor and/or digital signal processor). Processor 1303 may be configured to execute computer program instructions from functional modules in memory 1307 (also referred to as a memory circuit or memory circuitry), described below as a computer readable medium, to perform some or all of the operations and methods that are described herein for one or more of the embodiments.

[0038] According to some embodiments of inventive concepts, when a wireless terminal UE 1301 reports to the base station (eNodeB) 1101 that it hears a WLAN AP (and this AP is unknown in the eNodeB) the eNodeB may ask one or more WTs (e.g., WT node 1001 and/or 1102) to set up bearers for this UE 1301 to the specified AP. The WT reports back if the setup is successful or not. Either the WT or the wireless terminal UE may confirm to the base station eNodeB that data transmission is successful. The base station eNodeB may then store the AP context with information regarding whether it can be used for traffic aggregation and through which WT AP resources can be requested.

[0039] In this manner, the base station eNodeB may learn which APs can be used for traffic aggregation without the need of manually configuring this information in the base station eNodeB.

[0040] Triggers for the base station eNodeB to know when an access point AP can be used to transfer data to a wireless terminal UE may include:

• Wireless terminal UE reporting successful establishment of connection with the AP by signaling over a radio interface directly to the base station eNodeB;

• The WLAN providing the information by signaling over an interface between the WLAN and E-UTRAN (e.g., via the WT);

• Reporting of successfully delivered user data from the UE, over the radio interface directly to the base station eNodeB; and

• Reporting of successfully delivered user data from the WLAN to the UE by signaling over an interface between the WLAN and E-UTRAN base station (e.g., via the WT).

[0041] Accordingly, a degree of manual configuration required in the network may be reduced. For example, information related to WLAN identifications IDs, such as BSSID (Basic Service Set IDentifier), HESSID (Homogenous ESS IDentifier), and SSID (Service Set IDentifier), may be reduced. [0042] According to some embodiments of inventive concepts, base station 1101a may be connected (e.g., in an RRC connected state) with wireless terminal UE 1301, and wireless terminal 1301 may be within a coverage area of WLAN access point AP-1. To establish a downlink connection between base station 1101a and wireless terminal 1301 through a WLAN access point (e.g., AP-1), base station 1101a may first retrieve information about WLAN access point using UE reports/measurements as shown in Figure 6. At operation 601, the eNodeB may trigger wireless terminal UE 1301 to deliver reports about identifications/measurements for detected WLAN access points (AP). At operation 602, wireless terminal UE 1301 may collect WLAN AP information (e.g., WLAN AP

identification/identifications) according to the measurement request from base station eNodeB 1101a, report the WLAN AP information (such as BSSID and/or HESSID and/or SSID and/or other WLAN AP parameters) to base station 1101a. At operation 603, if the received information indicates an AP that is not yet known by base station eNodeB 1301, base station eNodeB 1301 may store the information (or part of the information) for later use in a Neighbor connection unverified table (NCUT).

[0043] After receiving the report including WLAN AP information for an unknown

AP at base station 1101a as discussed above with respect to Figure 6, base station 1101a may retrieve information regarding whether the AP (for which the reported measured WLAN information is stored in the NCUT) can be used to send data to the wireless terminal UE via the WLAN AP. As shown in Figure 7, WT node 1001 may confirm preparation of user data transport between base station eNodeB 1101a and WT node 1001.

[0044] When base station eNodeB 1101a decides to use WLAN access point AP-1

(information for which is stored in the NCUT), base station 1101a sends a request to establish the needed data connection towards the WLAN AP via the WT 1001 at operation 701. The base station eNodeB 1101a may include an identifier (UEID or UE identification) of the wireless terminal UE 1301 which also identifies the UE in the WLAN (e.g., a UE WLAN MAC Address or another UE Identifier which the WLAN can use to identify the UE). The base station eNodeB 1101a may also send additional information such as an identification of WLAN AP AP-1 (e.g., a BSSID, HESSID, and/or SSID, and/or other parameter/parameters which could aid the WT node to find the wireless terminal UE). As an example, if the WT node 1001 does not support one of the received parameters (e.g., the WT node does not recognize an identification of a WLAN AP), the WT node 1001 may have sufficient information to immediately inform the eNodeB that the WT node cannot contact the UE using the received AP information. [0045] If the WT node 1001 does support communication with the indicated WLAN

AP, WT node 1001 may respond that data bearers between the eNodeB and WT have been established at operation 702, and base station eNodeB 1101a may start sending user data to the WT node which buffers data until sending it to the UE via WLAN AP AP-1 at operation 703. Base station eNodeB 1101a may command wireless terminal UE 1301 to connect to the WLAN AP AP-1 and use it for WLAN aggregation at operation 704, and wireless terminal UE 1301 may connect to WLAN AP AP-1 at operation 705 to prepare to receive data through WLAN AP AP-1. While operations 704 and 705 as shown after base station 1101a initiates sending user data to WT node 1001, operations 704 and 705 may be triggered before, after, or simultaneously with operation 701.

[0046] When the WLAN AP AP-1 is prepared to send buffered data to wireless terminal UE 1301, WT node 1001 starts sending the buffered data to the UE via the WLAN AP AP-1 at operation 706. When wireless terminal UE 1301 has successfully received user data through WLAN access point AP-1, this successful data transfer is acknowledged to base station eNodeB 1101a either via the WLAN access point AP-1 through WT node 1001 at operation 707, or in an alternative embodiment, this successful data transfer may be acknowledged directly from wireless terminal UE 1301 to base station 1101a via the

EUTRAN radio interface.

[0047] Responsive to base station eNodeB 1101a receiving the feedback that data has been successfully received by wireless terminal UE 1301 through WLAN access point AP-1, base station 1101a may add information from the NCUT relating to WLAN access point AP- 1 (e.g., an identification or identifications for access point AP-1) to the WLAN Neighbor relation table (WNRT) at operation 708. If user data cannot be delivered to wireless terminal UE 1301 via access point AP-1 and/or wireless terminal UE 1301 indicates that it could not successfully establish a connection to access point AP-1, base station eNodeB 1101a may decide to store the information for this access point AP-1 in a table/list indicating that this access point AP-1 shall not be used (e.g., stored in a blacklist) or in a table/list indicating that this access point should be used with low priority. As alternatives to identify successful data delivery as in operation 709, wireless terminal UE 1301 may report when it has successfully connected to the WLAN access point AP-1. The report could be either via the WLAN through WT node 1001 or via signaling from wireless terminal UE 1301 to base station eNodeB 1101a.

[0048] WLAN information exchange may be provided between base station eNodeB

1101a and WT node 1001 at user data connection setup as discussed below. [0049] Base station eNodeB 1101a may be connected to several WT nodes (e.g., WT nodes 1001 and 1002). If base station eNodeB 1101a does not know which WT node is connected to a WLAN including a particular access point AP serving wireless terminal UE, base station 1101a may try to setup the data connection towards multiple WT nodes (e.g., WT nodes 1001 and 1002) simultaneously. To reduce/minimize load in/on the WT nodes it may be beneficial if the WT node/nodes receive an indication of the WLAN access point AP to which the wireless terminal UE will connect.

[0050] For example, if the base station eNodeB provides the SSID to the WT node, the WT node can immediately reject the data connection setup if the SSID is not supported. If the WT node also informs the base station eNodeB that the SSID is not supported, the base station eNodeB can avoid selecting this WT node again. Similarly, identifications HESSID and/or BSSID can be used instead of or in addition to the SSID. If the WT node has a table with all its supported parameters (e.g., a hash table), the WT node can quickly determine if it supports a particular access point having the received SSID, HESSID, and/or BSSID instead of waiting for the wireless terminal UE to connect to a WLAN access point.

[0051] Figure 8 illustrates embodiments of nodes used according to some

embodiments of present inventive concepts. The wireless terminal UE 1301 may

communicate with the eNodeB 1101a and with the WLAN access point AP-1 wirelessly.

[0052] Methods may thus be provided to automatically configure a base station eNodeB with information for WLAN access points that can be used for traffic aggregation when an access point is not previously known to the base station. By receiving reports at the base station eNodeB from wireless terminals UEs including information for access points (e.g., identifications for the access points) that are not known in the eNodeB, the base station can be automatically configured with information for new access points. In addition, by contacting WT nodes to request bearer setup for the wireless terminal UE and receiving back an indication of whether the bearers can be setup or not, the base station can determine whether the new access point should be added to a WLAN neighbor relations table WNRT. If the new access point should be added, information for this access point may thus be stored in the base station eNodeB, and used in the future to determine if the access point can be used for traffic aggregation and which WT node can be contacted for bearer setup and release.

[0053] Operations of a WLAN termination node 1001 according to one example embodiment will now be discussed with reference to the flow chart of Figure 9 and the modules of Figure 10. For example, modules of Figure 10 may be stored in termination node memory 1007 of Figure 2, and these modules may provide instructions so that when the instructions of a module are executed by termination node processor 1003, processor 1003 performs respective operations of the flow chart of Figure 9.

[0054] As shown in Figure 1, WLAN termination node 1001 may be an element of a

WLAN network including a plurality of WLAN access points (AP-1 to AP-n). Responsive to a request from base station 1101a at block 951 (e.g., using instructions of request

determination module 1051), processor 1003 may receive the request (e.g., over an Xw interface) from base station 1101a through network interface 1005 at block 953 (e.g., using instructions of request reception module 1053). The request may be a request to establish a data connection between the base station 1101a and wireless terminal 1301 through WLAN termination node 1001 and WLAN access point AP-1, and the request may include at least one of an identification of wireless terminal 1301 and/or an identification of WLAN access point AP-1.

[0055] Responsive to determining that the identification of the second WLAN access point matches one of the plurality of WLAN access points of the WLAN network at block 955 (e.g., using instructions of ID match determination module 1055), processor 1003 may transmit an indication to the base station at block 956 (e.g., using instructions of data connection indication transmission module 1056) that a data connection can be established for wireless terminal 1301.

[0056] At block 957, processor 1003 may receive downlink user data for wireless terminal 1301 from base station 1101a through network interface 1005 (e.g., using instructions of downlink user data reception module 1057). At block 959, processor 1003 may transmit the downlink user data through network interface 1005 and WLAN access point AP-1 to wireless terminal 1301 (e.g., using instructions of downlink user data transmission module 1059).

[0057] Responsive to transmitting the downlink user data to wireless terminal 1301 and/or responsive to establishing a connection with wireless terminal 1301 through WLAN access point AP-1, processor 1003 may transmitting an indication to base station 1101a through network interface 1005 at block 961 (e.g., using instructions of first indication transmission module 1061). The indication may be an indication of reception of the downlink user data at wireless terminal 1301 and/or an indication of connection with wireless terminal 1301.

[0058] According to some embodiments, transmitting an indication of reception of the downlink user data and/or transmitting an indication of connection with the wireless terminal at block 961 may include transmitting an indication of reception of the downlink user data at the wireless terminal responsive to receiving confirmation of reception of the downlink user data from the wireless terminal. According to some other embodiments, transmitting an indication of reception of the downlink user data and/or transmitting an indication of connection with the wireless terminal may include transmitting an indication of connection with the wireless terminal to the base station responsive to establishing a connection with the wireless terminal through the WLAN access point.

[0059] Responsive to a second request from base station 1101a at block 951 (e.g., using instructions of request determination module 1051), processor 1003 may receive the second request from base station 1101a through network interface 1005 at block 953 (e.g., using instructions of request reception module 1053). The second request may be a request to establish a data connection between base station 1101a and second wireless terminal 1302 through WLAN termination node 1001 and second WLAN access point ΑΡ- , with the second request may include an identification of second WLAN access point ΑΡ- .

[0060] Responsive to determining that the identification of second WLAN access point ΑΡ- does not match any of the plurality of WLAN access points of the WLAN network of WLAN termination node 1001 at block 955 (e.g., using instructions of ID match determination module 1055), processor 1003 may transmit an indication to the base station at block 965 (e.g., using instructions of data connection indication transmission module 1056), with the indication indicating that a data connection cannot be established for second wireless terminal 1302.

[0061] Various operations of Figure 9 and/or modules of Figure 10 may be optional with respect to other embodiments of termination nodes and related methods. Regarding e.g. example embodiment 55 (set forth below) modules 1051, 1055 and/or 1056 of Fig 10 may be optional.

[0062] Operations of a communication node 1101 (e.g., a base station) of a wireless communication network according to one example embodiment will now be discussed with reference to the flow chart of Figure 11 and the modules of Figure 12. For example, modules of Figure 12 may be stored in memory 1109 of Figure 3, and these modules may provide instructions so that when the instructions of a module are executed by processor 1103, processor 1103 performs respective operations of the flow chart of Figure 11.

[0063] As shown in Figure 1, base station 1101a may be in communication with wireless terminal 1301. Responsive to determining that instructions are to be transmitted to wireless terminal 1301 at block l l51 (e.g., using instructions of instruction determination module 1251), processor 1103 may transmit instructions through wireless interface 1107 to the wireless terminal at block 1153 (e.g., using instructions of first instructions transmission module 1253) wherein the instructions include instructions to generate reports for WLAN access points detected by the wireless terminal 1301.

[0064] Responsive to a report from wireless terminal 1301 at block 1155 (e.g., using instructions of report determination module 1255), processor 1103 may receive a report from wireless terminal 1301 through wireless interface 1107 at block 1157 (e.g., using instructions of report reception module 1257) wherein the report includes information relating to wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) AP-1.

[0065] Responsive to determining that a neighbor relation table (NRT) in memory

1109 does not include information relating to WLAN access point AP-1 at block 1159 (e.g., using instructions of NRT determination module 1259), processor 1103 may save at least the portion of the information for WLAN access point AP-1 in an unverified neighbor connection table in memory 1109 at block 1161 (e.g., using instructions of Unverified NRT saving module 1261).

[0066] At block 1163, processor 1103 may transmit a request through network interface 1105 to a WLAN termination node 1001 (e.g., using request transmission module 1263), wherein the request is a request to establish a data connection between base station 1101a and wireless terminal 1301 through WLAN termination node 1 101.

[0067] After transmitting the request, processor 1103 may receive (1165)

confirmation through network interface 1105 at block 1165 (e.g., using instructions of confirmation reception module 1265) wherein the confirmation is confirmation that data bearers have been established between the base station and the WLAN termination node.

[0068] At block 1167, processor 1103 may transmit downlink user data through network interface 1105 to WLAN termination node 1001 for transmission to wireless terminal 1301 through the WLAN access point AP-1 (e.g., using instructions from downlink user data transmission module 1267). Transmitting the downlink user data, for example, may include transmitting the downlink user data responsive to receiving the confirmation that data bearers have been established. At block 1169, processor 1103 may transmit instructions through wireless interface 1107 for wireless terminal 1301 to connect to the WLAN access point (e.g. using instructions of second instruction transmission module 1269).

[0069] Responsive to an indication regarding wireless terminal 1301 at operation

1171 (e.g., using instructions of indication reception determination module 1271), processor 1103 may receive an indication (e.g., through network interface 1105 from WLAN

termination node 1101 and/or through wireless interface 1107 from wireless terminal 1301) at block 1173 (e.g., using instructions of indication reception module 1273) wherein the indication indicates that the downlink user data has been received by the wireless terminal.

[0070] Responsive to receiving the indication of reception at blocks 1171 and 1173 and responsive to the NRT not including information for WLAN access point AP-1 at block 1175 (e.g., using instructions of second NRT determination module 1275), processor may adding (1177) at least a portion of the information for the WLAN access point to a neighbor relation table in memory of the base station 1101a at block 1177 (e.g., using instructions of first information addition module 1277). Moreover, adding at least the portion of the information may include adding at least the portion of the information for WLAN access point AP-1 to the neighbor relation table and removing at least the portion of the information from the unverified neighbor connection table. In addition, the information relating to WLAN access point AP-1 may include an identification of the WLAN access point, and wherein adding at least the portion of the information comprises adding the identification of the WLAN access point to the neighbor relations table.

[0071] After adding at least the portion of the information for WLAN access point

AP-1 to the neighbor relation table, processor 1103 may receive a report through wireless interface 1107 from a second wireless terminal at blocks 1155 and 1157 (e.g. using instructions from report determination module 1255 and report reception module 1257) including the information relating to WLAN access point AP-1. Responsive to determining that at least the portion of the information for WLAN access point AP-1 is included in the neighbor relation table at block 1159 (e.g., using instructions of NRT determination module 1259), processor 1103 may transmit a request to WLAN termination node 1101 at block 1163 (e.g., using instructions of request transmission module 1263) wherein the request is a request to establish a data connection between base station 1101a and the second wireless terminal without saving the information for WLAN access point AP-1 from the second wireless terminal in the unverified neighbor connection table (because the information has already been saved in the neighbor relations table).

[0072] After adding at least the portion of the information for WLAN access point

AP-1 to the neighbor relation table, processor 1103 may receive (1157) a second report from wireless terminal 1301 at block 1157 (e.g., using instructions of report reception module 1257) wherein the second report includes the information relating to WLAN access point AP- 1. Responsive to determining that at least the portion of the information for WLAN access point AP-1 is included in the neighbor relation table, processor 1103 may transmit a request to WLAN termination node 1101 at block 1163 (e.g., using instructions of request transmission module 1263) wherein the request is a request to establish another data connection between base station 1101a and wireless terminal 1301 without saving the information for WLAN access point AP-1 from wireless terminal 1301 in the unverified neighbor connection table.

[0073] In addition, processor 1103 may receive a report from wireless terminal 1302 at blocks 1155 and 1157 (e.g., using instructions of report determination module 1255 and report reception module 1257), wherein the report includes information relating to a second wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) ΑΡ- . At block 1163, processor 1103 may transmit a request through network interface 1105 to WLAN termination node 1101 (e.g., using instructions of request transmission module 1263), wherein the request is a request to establish a data connection between base station 1101a and second wireless terminal 1302 through WLAN termination node 1001.

[0074] Responsive to failure receiving an indication of reception of data at second wireless terminal 1302 from the base station 1101a (e.g., through WLAN termination node 1001 and second WLAN access point ΑΡ- ) and/or responsive to failure receiving an indication of connection of second wireless terminal 1302 to second WLAN access point AP- at block 1171 (e.g., using instructions of second information addition module 1279), processor may add (1179) at least a portion of the information for second WLAN access point ΑΡ- to a blacklist and/or to a low priority list in memory of base station 1101a.

[0075] Various operations of Figure 11 and/or modules of Figure 12 may be optional with respect to other embodiments of network communication nodes and related methods. Regarding e.g. example embodiment 60 (set forth below) modules 1251, 1253, 1255, 1259, 1261, 1265, 1267, 1269, 1271, 1273, 1275, and 1279 of Figure 12 may be optional.

[0076] EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0077] Embodiment 1. A method of operating a base station (1101a) of a radio access network, RAN, in communication with a wireless terminal (1301), the method comprising: receiving (602) a report from the wireless terminal (1301) including information relating to a wireless local area network, WLAN, access point, AP; transmitting (701) a request to a WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and the wireless terminal (1301) through the WLAN termination node; and responsive to receiving an indication of reception of data at the wireless terminal from the base station (1101a) through the WLAN termination node and the WLAN access point and/or responsive to receiving an indication of connection of the wireless terminal to the WLAN access point, adding (708) at least a portion of the information for the WLAN access point to a neighbor relation table in memory of the base station (1 101a).

[0078] Embodiment 2. The method of Embodiment 1 further comprising:

transmitting (703) downlink user data to the WLAN termination node for transmission to the wireless terminal through the WLAN access point; and transmitting (704) instructions for the wireless terminal to connect to the WLAN access point.

[0079] Embodiment 3. The method of Embodiment 2 further comprising: receiving

(707) an indication that the downlink user data has been received by the wireless terminal; wherein adding at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point to the neighbor relation table comprises adding at least the portion of the information responsive to receiving the indication that the downlink user data has been received by the wireless terminal.

[0080] Embodiment 4. The method of Embodiment 3 wherein receiving the indication comprises receiving the indication from the WLAN termination node.

[0081] Embodiment 5. The method of Embodiment 3 wherein receiving the indication comprises receiving the indication from the wireless terminal over a radio interface.

[0082] Embodiment 6. The method of any of Embodiments 2-5 further comprising: after transmitting the request, receiving (702) confirmation that data bearers have been established between the base station and the WLAN termination node; wherein transmitting the downlink user data comprises transmitting the downlink user data responsive to receiving the confirmation that data bearers have been established.

[0083] Embodiment 7. The method of any of Embodiments 1-6 wherein the information relating to the WLAN access point includes an identification of the WLAN access point, and wherein adding at least the portion of the information comprises adding the identification of the WLAN access point to the neighbor relations table.

[0084] Embodiment 8. The method of Embodiment 7 wherein the identification of the WLAN access point includes at least one of a Basic Service Set IDentifier, BSSID, a Homogeneous Extended Services Set IDentifier, HESSID, and/or a Service Set IDentifier, SSID.

[0085] Embodiment 9. The method of any of Embodiments 7-8 wherein the request includes the identification of the WLAN access point.

[0086] Embodiment 10. The method of any of Embodiments 1-9 wherein the request includes an identification of the wireless terminal. [0087] Embodiment 11. The method of any of Embodiments 1-10 further comprising: responsive to determining that the neighbor relation table does not include information relating to the WLAN access point, saving at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point in an unverified neighbor connection table; wherein adding at least the portion of the information comprises adding at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point to the neighbor relation table and removing at least the portion of the information from the unverified neighbor connection table.

[0088] Embodiment 12. The method of Embodiment 11 further comprising: after adding at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point to the neighbor relation table, receiving a second report from a second wireless terminal including the information relating to the WLAN access point; and responsive to determining that at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point is included in the neighbor relation table, transmitting a request to the WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station and the second wireless terminal without saving the information for the WLAN access point from the second wireless terminal in the unverified neighbor connection table.

[0089] Embodiment 13. The method of Embodiment 11 further comprising: after adding at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point to the neighbor relation table, receiving a second report from the wireless terminal including the information relating to the WLAN access point; and responsive to determining that at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point is included in the neighbor relation table, transmitting a request to the WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station and the wireless terminal without saving the information for the WLAN access point from the second wireless terminal in the unverified neighbor connection table.

[0090] Embodiment 14. The method of any of Embodiments 1-11 further comprising: receiving a report from a second wireless terminal including information relating to a second wireless local area network, WLAN, access point, AP; transmitting (701) a request to the WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and the wireless terminal (1301) through the WLAN termination node; and responsive to failure receiving an indication of reception of data at the wireless terminal from the base station (1101a) through the WLAN termination node and the WLAN access point and/or responsive to failure receiving an indication of connection of the wireless terminal to the WLAN access point, adding (708) at least a portion of the information for the WLAN access point to a blacklist and/or to a low priority list in memory of the base station (1101a). [0091] Embodiment 15. The method of any of Embodiments 1-14 further comprising: before receiving the report, transmitting (601) instructions to the wireless terminal to generate reports for WLAN access points detected by the wireless terminal (1301).

[0092] Embodiment 16. The method of any of Embodiments 1-15 wherein the

WLAN termination node is physically separated from base station and from the WLAN access point.

[0093] Embodiment 17. The method of Embodiment 16 wherein the WLAN termination node is a logical node that is physically integrated with a WLAN access controller.

[0094] Embodiment 18. The method of any of Embodiments 1-15 wherein the

WLAN termination node is a logical node that is physically integrated with the base station.

[0095] Embodiment 19. The method of any of Embodiments 1-15 wherein the

WLAN termination node is a logical node that is physically integrated with the WLAN access point.

[0096] Embodiment 20. The method of any of Embodiments 1-7 and 19 wherein the base station and the WLAN termination node are coupled over an Xw interface so that the request is transmitted from the base station to the WLAN termination node over the Xw interface.

[0097] Embodiment 21. A base station (1101) of a radio access network, wherein the base station is adapted to perform according to any of Embodiments 1-20.

[0098] Embodiment 22. A base station (1101) comprising: a network interface

(1105) configured to provide communication with a WLAN termination node; a wireless interface (1107) configured to provide wireless communication with a plurality of wireless terminals in a coverage area of the base station; and a processor (1103) coupled to the network interface and to the wireless interface, wherein the processor is configured to perform operations according to any of Embodiments 1-20, wherein the processor is configured to communicate with the WLAN termination node through the network interface and to communicate with the wireless terminal trough the wireless interface.

[0099] Embodiment 23. A method of operating a wireless terminal (1301) in communication with a base station (1101a) of a radio access network, RAN, the method comprising: transmitting (602) a report to the base station wherein the report includes information relating to a wireless local area network, WLAN, access point, AP; receiving (704) instructions from the base station to connect to the WLAN access point; responsive to the instructions from the base station, receiving (706) downlink user data from the base station through the WLAN access point; and responsive to receiving the downlink user data, transmitting an indication of reception of the data at the wireless terminal, wherein the indication is transmitted from the wireless terminal to the base station.

[00100] Embodiment 24. The method of Embodiment 23 wherein the indication is transmitted over a radio interface from the wireless terminal to the base station.

[00101] Embodiment 25. The method of Embodiment 24 wherein the indication is transmitted directly from the wireless terminal to the base station.

[00102] Embodiment 26. The method of any of Embodiments 23-25, further comprising: before transmitting the report, receiving (601) instructions from the base station to generate reports for WLAN access points detected by the wireless terminal; wherein transmitting the report comprises transmitting the report responsive to the instructions from the base station.

[00103] Embodiment 27. The method of Embodiment 26 wherein transmitting the report comprises transmitting the report responsive to a signal strength of the WLAN access point exceeding a reporting threshold defined by the instructions.

[00104] Embodiment 28. A wireless terminal (1301) adapted to perform according to any of Embodiments 23-27.

[00105] Embodiment 29. A wireless terminal (1301) comprising: a wireless interface (1305) configured to provide wireless communication with a base station of a radio access network; and a processor (1103) coupled to the wireless interface, wherein the processor is configured to perform operations according to any of Embodiments 23-27, wherein the processor is configured to communicate with the base station trough the wireless interface.

[00106] Embodiment 30. A method of operating a wireless local area network, WLAN, termination node 1001 of a WLAN network including a plurality of WLAN access points (AP-1 to AP-n), the method comprising: receiving (701) a request from a base station of a radio access network, RAN, to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and a wireless terminal (1301) through the WLAN termination node and a WLAN access point, wherein the request includes at least one of an identification of the wireless terminal and/or an identification of the WLAN access point; receiving (703) downlink user data for the wireless terminal from the base station; transmitting (706) the downlink user data through the WLAN access point to the wireless terminal; and responsive to transmitting the downlink user data to the wireless terminal and/or responsive to establishing a connection with the wireless terminal through the WLAN access point, transmitting (707) an indication of reception of the downlink user data at the wireless terminal to the base station and/or an indication of connection with the wireless terminal to the base station.

[00107] Embodiment 31. A method according to Embodiment 30 wherein the request includes an identification of the WLAN access point, the method further comprising:

receiving a second request from the base station to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and a second wireless terminal through the WLAN termination node and a second WLAN access point, wherein the second request includes an identification of the second WLAN access point; and responsive to determining that the identification of the second WLAN access point does not match any of the plurality of WLAN access points of the WLAN network, transmitting an indication to the base station that a data connection cannot be established for the second wireless terminal.

[00108] Embodiment 32. The method of any of Embodiments 30-31 wherein the WLAN termination node is physically separated from base station and from the WLAN access point.

[00109] Embodiment 33. The method of Embodiment 32 wherein the WLAN termination node is a logical node that is physically integrated with a WLAN access controller.

[00110] Embodiment 34. The method of any of Embodiments 30-31 wherein the WLAN termination node is a logical node that is physically integrated with the base station.

[00111] Embodiment 35. The method of any of Embodiments 30-31 wherein the WLAN termination node is a logical node that is physically integrated with the WLAN access point.

[00112] Embodiment 36. The method of any of Embodiments 30-35 wherein transmitting an indication of reception of the downlink user data and/or an indication of connection with the wireless terminal comprises transmitting an indication of reception of the downlink user data at the wireless terminal responsive to receiving confirmation of reception of the downlink user data from the wireless terminal.

[00113] Embodiment 37. The method of any of Embodiments 30-35 wherein transmitting an indication of reception of the downlink user data and/or an indication of connection with the wireless terminal comprises transmitting an indication of connection with the wireless terminal to the base station responsive to establishing a connection with the wireless terminal through the WLAN access point.

[00114] Embodiment 38. The method of any of Embodiments 30-33 and 35-37 wherein the base station and the WLAN termination node are coupled over an Xw interface so that the request is transmitted from the base station to the WLAN termination node over the Xw interface.

[00115] Embodiment 39. A wireless local area network, WLAN, termination node (1001) for use in connection with a plurality of WLAN access points, the WLAN termination node comprising: a network interface (1005) configured to provide communication with the plurality of WLAN access points and with a base station of a radio access network; and a processor (1003) coupled with the network interface, wherein the processor (1003) is configured to perform operations according to any of Embodiments 30-38, wherein the processor is configured to communicate with the base station and the plurality of WLAN access points trough the network interface.

[00116] Embodiment 40. A wireless local area network, WLAN, termination node (1001) for use in connection with a plurality of WLAN access points, wherein the WLAN termination node is adapted to perform according to any of Embodiments 30-38.

[00117] Embodiment 41. A wireless local area network, WLAN, termination node (1001) for use in connection with a plurality of WLAN access points, the WLAN termination node comprising: a network interface (1005) configured to provide communication with the plurality of WLAN access points and with a base station of a radio access network; and a processor (1003) coupled with the network interface, wherein the processor (1003) is configured to communicate with the base station and the plurality of WLAN access points through the network interface and wherein the processor (1003) is configured to, receive a request through the network interface from the base station to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and a wireless terminal (1301) through the WLAN termination node and a WLAN access point, wherein the request includes at least one of an identification of the wireless terminal and/or an identification of the WLAN access point, receive downlink user data for the wireless terminal through the network interface from the base station, transmit the downlink user data through the network interface and the WLAN access point to the wireless terminal, and transmit an indication of reception of the downlink user data at the wireless terminal through the network interface to the base station and/or an indication of connection with the wireless terminal through the network interface to the base station, responsive to transmitting the downlink user data to the wireless terminal and/or responsive to establishing a connection with the wireless terminal through the WLAN access point.

[00118] Embodiment 42. A base station (1101) of a radio access network, RAN, the base station comprising: a network interface (1105) configured to provide communication with a WLAN termination node; a wireless interface (1107) configured to provide wireless communication with a plurality of wireless terminals in a coverage area of the base station; and a processor (1103) coupled to the network interface and to the wireless interface, wherein the processor is configured to communicate with the WLAN termination node through the network interface and to communicate with the wireless terminal through the wireless interface and wherein the processor is configured to, receive a report through the wireless interface from the wireless terminal (1301) including information relating to a wireless local area network, WLAN, access point, AP, transmit a request through the network interface to a WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and the wireless terminal (1301) through the WLAN termination node, and add at least a portion of the information for the WLAN access point to a neighbor relation table in memory of the base station (1101a), responsive to receiving an indication of reception of data at the wireless terminal from the base station (1101a) through the WLAN termination node and the WLAN access point and/or responsive to receiving an indication of connection of the wireless terminal to the WLAN access point.

[00119] Embodiment 43. A wireless local area network, WLAN, termination node (1001) for use in connection with a plurality of WLAN access points, wherein the WLAN termination node is adapted to: receive a request from a base station of a radio access network, RAN, to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and a wireless terminal (1301) through the WLAN termination node and a WLAN access point, wherein the request includes at least one of an identification of the wireless terminal and/or an

identification of the WLAN access point; receive downlink user data for the wireless terminal from the base station; transmit the downlink user data through the WLAN access point to the wireless terminal; and transmit an indication of reception of the downlink user data at the wireless terminal to the base station and/or an indication of connection with the wireless terminal to the base station, responsive to transmitting the downlink user data to the wireless terminal and/or responsive to establishing a connection with the wireless terminal through the WLAN access point.

[00120] Embodiment 44. A base station (1101) of a radio access network, RAN, wherein the base station is adapted to: receive a report from a wireless terminal (1301) including information relating to a wireless local area network, WLAN, access point, AP; transmit a request to a WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and the wireless terminal (1301) through the WLAN termination node; and add at least a portion of the information for the WLAN access point to a neighbor relation table in memory of the base station (1101a), responsive to receiving an indication of reception of data at the wireless terminal from the base station (1101a) through the WLAN termination node and the WLAN access point and/or responsive to receiving an indication of connection of the wireless terminal to the WLAN access point.

[00121] Embodiment 45. A wireless local area network, WLAN, termination node (1001) of a WLAN network including a plurality of WLAN access points (AP-1 to AP-n), the WLAN termination node comprising: a request reception module (1053) configured to receive a request from a base station of a radio access network, RAN, to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and a wireless terminal (1301) through the WLAN termination node and a WLAN access point, wherein the request includes at least one of an identification of the wireless terminal and/or an identification of the WLAN access point; a downlink user data reception module (1057) configured to receive downlink user data for the wireless terminal from the base station; a downlink user data transmission module (1059) configured to transmit the downlink user data through the WLAN access point to the wireless terminal; and a first indication transmission module (1061) configured to transmit an indication of reception of the downlink user data at the wireless terminal to the base station and/or an indication of connection with the wireless terminal to the base station, responsive to transmitting the downlink user data to the wireless terminal and/or responsive to establishing a connection with the wireless terminal through the WLAN access point.

[00122] Embodiment 46. A base station (1101a) of a radio access network, RAN, in communication with a wireless terminal (1301), the base station comprising: a report reception module (1257) configured to receive a report from the wireless terminal (1301) including information relating to a wireless local area network, WLAN, access point, AP; a request transmission module (1263) configured to transmit a request to a WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and the wireless terminal (1301) through the WLAN termination node; and a first information addition module (1277) configured to add at least a portion of the information for the WLAN access point to a neighbor relation table in memory of the base station (1101a), responsive to receiving an indication of reception of data at the wireless terminal from the base station (1101a) through the WLAN termination node and the WLAN access point and/or responsive to receiving an indication of connection of the wireless terminal to the WLAN access point.

[00123] ABBREVIATIONS

Abbreviation Explanation

3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Project AC WLAN AP Controller

ANR Autonomous Network Relation setup

AP WLAN Access Point

BSSID Basic Service Set IDentifier

CP Control Plane

ECGI E-UTRAN Cell Global Identifier

eNB Evolved Node B

ESS Extended Services Set

E-UTRAN Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network

GPS Global Positioning System

HESSID Homogenous ESS IDentifier

IE Information Element

IP Internet Protocol

MAC Media Access Control

MME Mobility Management Entity

LAN Local Area Network

LTE Long Term Evolution

LWA LTE-WLAN Aggregation

NCUT Neighbor Connection Unverified Table: Logical

Representation of temporary storage of measurement information in the eNodeB which may be used later. Up to implementation how to implement this in hardware and/or software.

OAM Operations and Maintenance

PDCP Packet Data Convergence Protocol

PDU Packet Data Unit

PHY Physical Layer

RLC Radio Link Control

RRC Radio Resource Control

RRU Remote Radio Unit

SCTP Stream Control Transport Protocol

SSID Service Set IDentifier

TAC Tracking Area Code

UE User Equipment UEID UE IDentification

UP User Plane

X2AP X2 Application Protocol

XwAP Xw Application Protocol

WLAN Wireless Local Area Network

WNRT WLAN Neighbor Relation Table: Logical representation of identifiers of neighboring wlan nodes such as wlan access points.

WT WLAN Termination. This is a node which can be accessed from the WLAN and also from the eNodeB

[00124] REFERENCES

3 GPP TR 37.870;

3 GPP TS 36.423;

3 GPP R2- 152922, "Agreements on LTE-WLAN Radio Level Integration and

Interworking Enhancement", Intel Corporation, China Telecom, Qualcomm

Incorporated;

R3-151638;

RP-150510;

RP-151114.

[00125] FURTHER DEFINITIONS AND EMB ODEVIENT S

[00126] In the above-description of various embodiments of present inventive concepts, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of present inventive concepts. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which present inventive concepts belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[00127] When an element is referred to as being "connected", "coupled", "responsive", or variants thereof to another element, it can be directly connected, coupled, or responsive to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected", "directly coupled", "directly responsive", or variants thereof to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, "coupled", "connected", "responsive", or variants thereof as used herein may include wirelessly coupled, connected, or responsive. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity. The term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[00128] It will be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements/operations, these elements/operations should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element/operation from another element/operation. Thus a first element/operation in some embodiments could be termed a second element/operation in other embodiments without departing from the teachings of present inventive concepts. The same reference numerals or the same reference designators denote the same or similar elements throughout the specification.

[00129] As used herein, the terms "comprise", "comprising", "comprises", "include", "including", "includes", "have", "has", "having", or variants thereof are open-ended, and include one or more stated features, integers, elements, steps, components or functions but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, elements, steps, components, functions or groups thereof. Furthermore, as used herein, the common abbreviation "e.g.", which derives from the Latin phrase "exempli gratia," may be used to introduce or specify a general example or examples of a previously mentioned item, and is not intended to be limiting of such item. The common abbreviation "i.e.", which derives from the Latin phrase "id est," may be used to specify a particular item from a more general recitation.

[00130] Example embodiments are described herein with reference to block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations of computer-implemented methods, apparatus (systems and/or devices) and/or computer program products. It is understood that a block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by computer program instructions that are performed by one or more computer circuits. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor circuit of a general purpose computer circuit, special purpose computer circuit, and/or other programmable data processing circuit to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus, transform and control transistors, values stored in memory locations, and other hardware components within such circuitry to implement the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks, and thereby create means (functionality) and/or structure for implementing the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block(s).

[00131] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a tangible computer-readable medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer- readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks.

Accordingly, embodiments of present inventive concepts may be embodied in hardware and/or in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) that runs on a processor such as a digital signal processor, which may collectively be referred to as

"circuitry," "a module" or variants thereof.

[00132] It should also be noted that in some alternate implementations, the

functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the flowcharts. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. Moreover, the functionality of a given block of the flowcharts and/or block diagrams may be separated into multiple blocks and/or the functionality of two or more blocks of the flowcharts and/or block diagrams may be at least partially integrated. Finally, other blocks may be added/inserted between the blocks that are illustrated, and/or blocks/operations may be omitted without departing from the scope of inventive concepts. Moreover, although some of the diagrams include arrows on communication paths to show a primary direction of communication, it is to be understood that communication may occur in the opposite direction to the depicted arrows.

[00133] Many variations and modifications can be made to the embodiments without substantially departing from the principles of the present inventive concepts. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of present inventive concepts. Accordingly, the above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the examples of embodiments are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall within the spirit and scope of present inventive concepts. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of present inventive concepts are to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the present disclosure including the examples of embodiments and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

Claims

CLAIMS That Which Is Claimed Is:

1. A method of operating a wireless local area network, WLAN, termination node (1001) of a WLAN network including a plurality of WLAN access points (AP-1 to AP-n), the method comprising:

receiving (953) a request from a base station of a radio access network, RAN, to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and a wireless terminal (1301) through the WLAN termination node and a WLAN access point, wherein the request includes at least one of an identification of the wireless terminal and/or an identification of the WLAN access point;

receiving (957) downlink user data for the wireless terminal from the base station; transmitting (959) the downlink user data through the WLAN access point to the wireless terminal; and

responsive to transmitting the downlink user data to the wireless terminal and/or responsive to establishing a connection with the wireless terminal through the WLAN access point, transmitting (961) an indication of reception of the downlink user data at the wireless terminal to the base station and/or an indication of connection with the wireless terminal to the base station.

2. The method according to Claim 1 wherein the request includes an identification of the WLAN access point, the method further comprising:

receiving (953) a second request from the base station to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and a second wireless terminal through the WLAN termination node and a second WLAN access point, wherein the second request includes an identification of the second WLAN access point; and

responsive to determining that the identification of the second WLAN access point does not match any of the plurality of WLAN access points of the WLAN network, transmitting (965) an indication to the base station that a data connection cannot be established for the second wireless terminal.

3. The method of any of Claims 1-2 wherein transmitting an indication of reception of the downlink user data and/or an indication of connection with the wireless terminal comprises transmitting an indication of reception of the downlink user data at the wireless terminal responsive to receiving confirmation of reception of the downlink user data from the wireless terminal.

4. The method of any of Claims 1-2 wherein transmitting an indication of reception of the downlink user data and/or an indication of connection with the wireless terminal comprises transmitting an indication of connection with the wireless terminal to the base station responsive to establishing a connection with the wireless terminal through the WLAN access point.

5. The method of any of Claims 1-4 wherein the base station and the WLAN termination node are coupled over an Xw interface so that the request is transmitted from the base station to the WLAN termination node over the Xw interface.

6. A method of operating a base station (1101a) of a radio access network, RAN, in communication with a wireless terminal (1301), the method comprising:

receiving (1157) a report from the wireless terminal (1301) including information relating to a wireless local area network, WLAN, access point, AP;

transmitting (1163) a request to a WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and the wireless terminal (1301) through the WLAN termination node; and

responsive to receiving an indication of reception of data at the wireless terminal from the base station (1101a) through the WLAN termination node and the WLAN access point and/or responsive to receiving an indication of connection of the wireless terminal to the WLAN access point, adding (1177) at least a portion of the information for the WLAN access point to a neighbor relation table in memory of the base station (1101a).

7. The method of Claim 6 further comprising:

transmitting (1167) downlink user data to the WLAN termination node for transmission to the wireless terminal through the WLAN access point; and

transmitting (1169) instructions for the wireless terminal to connect to the WLAN access point.

8. The method of Claim 7 further comprising: receiving (1173) an indication that the downlink user data has been received by the wireless terminal;

wherein adding at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point to the neighbor relation table comprises adding at least the portion of the information responsive to receiving the indication that the downlink user data has been received by the wireless terminal.

9. The method of Claim 8 wherein receiving the indication comprises receiving the indication from the WLAN termination node.

10. The method of Claim 8 wherein receiving the indication comprises receiving the indication from the wireless terminal over a radio interface.

11. The method of any of Claims 7-10 further comprising:

after transmitting the request, receiving (1165) confirmation that data bearers have been established between the base station and the WLAN termination node;

wherein transmitting the downlink user data comprises transmitting the downlink user data responsive to receiving the confirmation that data bearers have been established.

12. The method of any of Claims 6-11 wherein the information relating to the WLAN access point includes an identification of the WLAN access point, and wherein adding at least the portion of the information comprises adding the identification of the WLAN access point to the neighbor relations table.

13. The method of any of Claims 6-12 further comprising:

responsive to determining that the neighbor relation table does not include

information relating to the WLAN access point, saving (1161) at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point in an unverified neighbor connection table;

wherein adding at least the portion of the information comprises adding at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point to the neighbor relation table and removing at least the portion of the information from the unverified neighbor connection table.

14. The method of Claim 13 further comprising: after adding at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point to the neighbor relation table, receiving (1157) a second report from a second wireless terminal including the information relating to the WLAN access point; and

responsive to determining that at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point is included in the neighbor relation table, transmitting (1163) a request to the WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station and the second wireless terminal without saving the information for the WLAN access point from the second wireless terminal in the unverified neighbor connection table.

15. The method of Claim 13 further comprising:

after adding at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point to the neighbor relation table, receiving (1157) a second report from the wireless terminal including the information relating to the WLAN access point; and

responsive to determining that at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point is included in the neighbor relation table, transmitting (1163) a request to the WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station and the wireless terminal without saving the information for the WLAN access point from the wireless terminal in the unverified neighbor connection table.

16. The method of any of Claims 6-13 further comprising:

receiving a report from a second wireless terminal (1302) including information relating to a second wireless local area network, WLAN, access point, AP;

transmitting (1163) a request to the WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and the second wireless terminal (1302) through the WLAN termination node; and

responsive to failure receiving an indication of reception of data at the second wireless terminal from the base station (1101a) through the WLAN termination node and the second WLAN access point and/or responsive to failure receiving an indication of connection of the second wireless terminal to the second WLAN access point, adding (1179) at least a portion of the information for the second WLAN access point to a blacklist and/or to a low priority list in memory of the base station (1 101a).

17. The method of any of Claims 6-16 further comprising: before receiving the report, transmitting (1153) instructions to the wireless terminal to generate reports for WLAN access points detected by the wireless terminal (1301).

18. The method of any of Claims 6-12 wherein the base station and the WLAN termination node are coupled over an Xw interface so that the request is transmitted from the base station to the WLAN termination node over the Xw interface.

19. A wireless local area network, WLAN, termination node (1001) for use in connection with a plurality of WLAN access points, the WLAN termination node

comprising:

a network interface (1005) configured to provide communication with the plurality of WLAN access points and with a base station of a radio access network; and

a processor (1003) coupled with the network interface, wherein the processor (1003) is configured to communicate with the base station and the plurality of WLAN access points through the network interface and wherein the processor (1003) is configured to,

receive a request through the network interface from the base station to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and a wireless terminal (1301) through the WLAN termination node and a WLAN access point, wherein the request includes at least one of an identification of the wireless terminal and/or an identification of the WLAN access point,

receive downlink user data for the wireless terminal through the network interface from the base station,

transmit the downlink user data through the network interface and the WLAN access point to the wireless terminal, and

transmit an indication of reception of the downlink user data at the wireless terminal through the network interface to the base station and/or an indication of connection with the wireless terminal through the network interface to the base station, responsive to transmitting the downlink user data to the wireless terminal and/or responsive to establishing a connection with the wireless terminal through the WLAN access point.

20. The WLAN termination node according to Claim 19 wherein the request includes an identification of the WLAN access point, wherein the processor is further configured to, receive a second request through the network interface from the base station to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and a second wireless terminal through the WLAN termination node and a second WLAN access point, wherein the second request includes an identification of the second WLAN access point; and

transmit an indication through the network interface to the base station that a data connection cannot be established for the second wireless terminal, responsive to determining that the identification of the second WLAN access point does not match any of the plurality of WLAN access points of the WLAN network.

21. The WLAN termination node of any of Claims 19-20 wherein transmitting an indication of reception of the downlink user data and/or an indication of connection with the wireless terminal comprises transmitting an indication of reception of the downlink user data at the wireless terminal responsive to receiving confirmation of reception of the downlink user data from the wireless terminal.

22. The WLAN termination node of any of Claims 19-20 wherein transmitting an indication of reception of the downlink user data and/or an indication of connection with the wireless terminal comprises transmitting an indication of connection with the wireless terminal to the base station responsive to establishing a connection with the wireless terminal through the WLAN access point.

23. The WLAN termination node of any of Claims 19-22 wherein the base station and the WLAN termination node are coupled over an Xw interface so that the request is transmitted from the base station to the WLAN termination node through the network interface over the Xw interface.

24. A base station (1101) of a radio access network, RAN, the base station comprising:

a network interface (1105) configured to provide communication with a WLAN termination node;

a wireless interface (1107) configured to provide wireless communication with a plurality of wireless terminals in a coverage area of the base station; and

a processor (1103) coupled to the network interface and to the wireless interface, wherein the processor is configured to communicate with the WLAN termination node through the network interface and to communicate with the wireless terminal through the wireless interface and wherein the processor is configured to, receive a report through the wireless interface from the wireless terminal (1301) including information relating to a wireless local area network, WLAN, access point, AP,

transmit a request through the network interface to a WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and the wireless terminal (1301) through the WLAN termination node, and

add at least a portion of the information for the WLAN access point to a neighbor relation table in memory of the base station (1101a), responsive to receiving an indication of reception of data at the wireless terminal from the base station (1101a) through the WLAN termination node and the WLAN access point and/or responsive to receiving an indication of connection of the wireless terminal to the WLAN access point.

25. The base station of Claim 24, wherein the processor is further configured to, transmit downlink user data through the network interface to the WLAN termination node for transmission to the wireless terminal through the WLAN access point; and

transmit instructions through the wireless interface for the wireless terminal to connect to the WLAN access point.

26. The base station of Claim 25, wherein the processor is further configured to, receive an indication that the downlink user data has been received by the wireless terminal;

27. The base station of Claim 26 wherein receiving the indication comprises receiving the indication from the WLAN termination node.

28. The base station of Claim 26 wherein receiving the indication comprises receiving the indication from the wireless terminal over a radio interface.

29. The base station of any of Claims 25-28, wherein the processor is further configured to,

receive confirmation that data bearers have been established between the base station and the WLAN termination node, after transmitting the request,

30. The base station of any of Claims 24-29 wherein the information relating to the WLAN access point includes an identification of the WLAN access point, and wherein adding at least the portion of the information comprises adding the identification of the WLAN access point to the neighbor relations table.

31. The base station of any of Claims 24-30, wherein the processor is further configured to,

save at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point in an unverified neighbor connection table, responsive to determining that the neighbor relation table does not include information relating to the WLAN access point,

32. The base station of Claim 31, wherein the processor is further configured to, receive a second report through the wireless interface from a second wireless terminal including the information relating to the WLAN access point, after adding at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point to the neighbor relation table, and transmit a request through the network interface to the WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station and the second wireless terminal without saving the information for the WLAN access point from the second wireless terminal in the unverified neighbor connection table, responsive to determining that at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point is included in the neighbor relation table.

33. The base station of Claim 31, wherein the processor is further configured to, receive a second report through the wireless interface from the wireless terminal including the information relating to the WLAN access point, after adding at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point to the neighbor relation table, and transmit a request through the network interface to the WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station and the wireless terminal without saving the information for the WLAN access point from the wireless terminal in the unverified neighbor connection table, responsive to determining that at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point is included in the neighbor relation table.

34. The base station of any of Claims 24-31, wherein the processor is further configured to,

receive a report through the wireless interface from a second wireless terminal including information relating to a second wireless local area network, WLAN, access point, AP,

transmit a request through the network interface to the WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and the second wireless terminal (1301) through the WLAN termination node, and

add at least a portion of the information for the second WLAN access point to a blacklist and/or to a low priority list in memory of the base station (1 101a), responsive to failure receiving an indication of reception of data at the second wireless terminal from the base station (1101a) through the WLAN termination node and the second WLAN access point and/or responsive to failure receiving an indication of connection of the second wireless terminal to the second WLAN access point.

35. The base station of any of Claims 24-34, wherein the processor is further configured to,

transmit instructions through the wireless interface to the wireless terminal to generate reports for WLAN access points detected by the wireless terminal (1301), before receiving the report.

36. The base station of any of Claims 24-30 wherein the base station and the WLAN termination node are coupled over an Xw interface so that the request is transmitted from the base station to the WLAN termination node over the Xw interface.

37. A wireless local area network, WLAN, termination node (1001) for use in connection with a plurality of WLAN access points, wherein the WLAN termination node is adapted to:

receive a request from a base station of a radio access network, RAN, to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and a wireless terminal (1301) through the WLAN termination node and a WLAN access point, wherein the request includes at least one of an identification of the wireless terminal and/or an identification of the WLAN access point;

receive downlink user data for the wireless terminal from the base station;

transmit the downlink user data through the WLAN access point to the wireless terminal; and

transmit an indication of reception of the downlink user data at the wireless terminal to the base station and/or an indication of connection with the wireless terminal to the base station, responsive to transmitting the downlink user data to the wireless terminal and/or responsive to establishing a connection with the wireless terminal through the WLAN access point.

38. The WLAN termination node according to Claim 37 wherein the request includes an identification of the WLAN access point, wherein the WLAN termination node is further adapted to:

receive a second request from the base station to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and a second wireless terminal through the WLAN termination node and a second WLAN access point, wherein the second request includes an identification of the second WLAN access point; and

transmit an indication to the base station that a data connection cannot be established for the second wireless terminal, responsive to determining that the identification of the second WLAN access point does not match any of the plurality of WLAN access points of the WLAN network.

39. The WLAN termination node of any of Claims 37-38 wherein transmitting an indication of reception of the downlink user data and/or an indication of connection with the wireless terminal comprises transmitting an indication of reception of the downlink user data at the wireless terminal responsive to receiving confirmation of reception of the downlink user data from the wireless terminal.

40. The WLAN termination node of any of Claims 37-38 wherein transmitting an indication of reception of the downlink user data and/or an indication of connection with the wireless terminal comprises transmitting an indication of connection with the wireless terminal to the base station responsive to establishing a connection with the wireless terminal through the WLAN access point.

41. The WLAN termination node of any of Claims 37-40 wherein the base station and the WLAN termination node are coupled over an Xw interface so that the request is transmitted from the base station to the WLAN termination node over the Xw interface.

42. A base station (1101) of a radio access network, RAN, wherein the base station is adapted to:

receive a report from a wireless terminal (1301) including information relating to a wireless local area network, WLAN, access point, AP;

transmit a request to a WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and the wireless terminal (1301) through the WLAN termination node; and

43. The base station of Claim 42, wherein the base station is further adapted to: transmit downlink user data to the WLAN termination node for transmission to the wireless terminal through the WLAN access point; and

transmit instructions for the wireless terminal to connect to the WLAN access point.

44. The base station of Claim 43, wherein the base station is further adapted to: receive an indication that the downlink user data has been received by the wireless terminal;

45. The base station of Claim 44 wherein receiving the indication comprises receiving the indication from the WLAN termination node.

46. The base station of Claim 44 wherein receiving the indication comprises receiving the indication from the wireless terminal over a radio interface.

47. The base station of any of Claims 43-46, wherein the base station is further adapted to:

receive confirmation that data bearers have been established between the base station and the WLAN termination node, after transmitting the request;

48. The base station of any of Claims 42-47 wherein the information relating to the WLAN access point includes an identification of the WLAN access point, and wherein adding at least the portion of the information comprises adding the identification of the WLAN access point to the neighbor relations table.

49. The base station of any of Claims 42-48, wherein the base station is further adapted to:

saving at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point in an unverified neighbor connection table, responsive to determining that the neighbor relation table does not include information relating to the WLAN access point;

50. The base station of Claim 49, wherein the base station is further adapted to: receive a second report from a second wireless terminal including the information relating to the WLAN access point, after adding at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point to the neighbor relation table; and

transmitting a request to the WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station and the second wireless terminal without saving the information for the WLAN access point from the second wireless terminal in the unverified neighbor connection table, responsive to determining that at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point is included in the neighbor relation table.

51. The base station of Claim 49, wherein the base station is further adapted to: receive a second report from the wireless terminal including the information relating to the WLAN access point, after adding at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point to the neighbor relation table; and

transmit a request to the WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station and the wireless terminal without saving the information for the WLAN access point from the second wireless terminal in the unverified neighbor connection table, responsive to determining that at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point is included in the neighbor relation table.

52. The base station of any of Claims 42-49, wherein the base station is further adapted to:

receive a report from a second wireless terminal including information relating to a second wireless local area network, WLAN, access point, AP;

transmit a request to the WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and the second wireless terminal (1301) through the WLAN termination node; and

add at least a portion of the information for the second WLAN access point to a blacklist and/or to a low priority list in memory of the base station (1101a), responsive to failure receiving an indication of reception of data at the second wireless terminal from the base station (1101a) through the WLAN termination node and the second WLAN access point and/or responsive to failure receiving an indication of connection of the second wireless terminal to the second WLAN access point.

53. The base station of any of Claims 42-52, wherein the base station is further adapted to:

transmit instructions to the wireless terminal to generate reports for WLAN access points detected by the wireless terminal (1301), before receiving the report.

54. The base station of any of Claims 42-48 wherein the base station and the WLAN termination node are coupled over an Xw interface so that the request is transmitted from the base station to the WLAN termination node over the Xw interface.

55. A wireless local area network, WLAN, termination node (1001) of a WLAN network including a plurality of WLAN access points (AP-1 to AP-n), the WLAN

termination node comprising:

a request reception module (1053) configured to receive a request from a base station of a radio access network, RAN, to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and a wireless terminal (1301) through the WLAN termination node and a WLAN access point, wherein the request includes at least one of an identification of the wireless terminal and/or an identification of the WLAN access point;

a downlink user data reception module (1057) configured to receive downlink user data for the wireless terminal from the base station;

a downlink user data transmission module (1059) configured to transmit the downlink user data through the WLAN access point to the wireless terminal; and

a first indication transmission module (1061) configured to transmit an indication of reception of the downlink user data at the wireless terminal to the base station and/or an indication of connection with the wireless terminal to the base station, responsive to transmitting the downlink user data to the wireless terminal and/or responsive to establishing a connection with the wireless terminal through the WLAN access point.

56. The WLAN termination node according to Claim 55 wherein the request includes an identification of the WLAN access point, wherein the request reception module (1053) is further configured to receive a second request from the base station to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and a second wireless terminal through the WLAN termination node and a second WLAN access point, wherein the second request includes an identification of the second WLAN access point, the WLAN termination node further comprising: a second indication transmission module (1065) configured to transmit an indication to the base station that a data connection cannot be established for the second wireless terminal, responsive to determining that the identification of the second WLAN access point does not match any of the plurality of WLAN access points of the WLAN network.

57. The WLAN termination node of any of Claims 55-56 wherein transmitting an indication of reception of the downlink user data and/or an indication of connection with the wireless terminal comprises transmitting an indication of reception of the downlink user data at the wireless terminal responsive to receiving confirmation of reception of the downlink user data from the wireless terminal.

58. The WLAN termination node of any of Claims 55-56 wherein transmitting an indication of reception of the downlink user data and/or an indication of connection with the wireless terminal comprises transmitting an indication of connection with the wireless terminal to the base station responsive to establishing a connection with the wireless terminal through the WLAN access point.

59. The WLAN termination node of any of Claims 55-58 wherein the base station and the WLAN termination node are coupled over an Xw interface so that the request is transmitted from the base station to the WLAN termination node over the Xw interface.

60. A base station (1101a) of a radio access network, RAN, in communication with a wireless terminal (1301), the base station comprising:

a report reception module (1257) configured to receive a report from the wireless terminal (1301) including information relating to a wireless local area network, WLAN, access point, AP;

a request transmission module (1263) configured to transmit a request to a WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and the wireless terminal (1301) through the WLAN termination node; and

a first information addition module (1277) configured to add at least a portion of the information for the WLAN access point to a neighbor relation table in memory of the base station (1101a), responsive to receiving an indication of reception of data at the wireless terminal from the base station (1101a) through the WLAN termination node and the WLAN access point and/or responsive to receiving an indication of connection of the wireless terminal to the WLAN access point.

61. The base station of Claim 60 further comprising:

a downlink user data transmission module (1267) configured to transmit downlink user data to the WLAN termination node for transmission to the wireless terminal through the WLAN access point; and

a second instruction transmission module (1269) configured to transmit instructions for the wireless terminal to connect to the WLAN access point.

62. The base station of Claim 61 further comprising:

an indication reception module (1273) configured to receive an indication that the downlink user data has been received by the wireless terminal,

63. The base station of Claim 62 wherein receiving the indication comprises receiving the indication from the WLAN termination node.

64. The base station of Claim 62 wherein receiving the indication comprises receiving the indication from the wireless terminal over a radio interface.

65. The base station of any of Claims 61-64 further comprising:

a confirmation reception module (1265) configured to receive confirmation that data bearers have been established between the base station and the WLAN termination node after transmitting the request,

66. The base station of any of Claims 60-65 wherein the information relating to the WLAN access point includes an identification of the WLAN access point, and wherein adding at least the portion of the information comprises adding the identification of the WLAN access point to the neighbor relations table.

67. The base station of any of Claims 60-66 further comprising:

an unverified NRT saving module (1261) configured to save at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point in an unverified neighbor connection table, responsive to determining that the neighbor relation table does not include information relating to the WLAN access point,

68. The base station of Claim 67,

wherein the report reception module (1257) is further configured to receive a second report from a second wireless terminal including the information relating to the WLAN access point, after adding at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point to the neighbor relation table; and

wherein the request transmission module (1263) is further configured to transmit a request to the WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station and the second wireless terminal without saving the information for the WLAN access point from the second wireless terminal in the unverified neighbor connection table responsive to determining that at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point is included in the neighbor relation table.

69. The base station of Claim 67,

wherein the report reception module (1257) is further configured to receive a second report from the wireless terminal including the information relating to the WLAN access point, after adding at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point to the neighbor relation table, and

wherein the request transmission module (1263) is further configured to transmit a request to the WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station and the wireless terminal without saving the information for the WLAN access point from the wireless terminal in the unverified neighbor connection table, responsive to determining that at least the portion of the information for the WLAN access point is included in the neighbor relation table.

70. The base station of any of Claims 60-67, wherein the report reception module (1257) is further configured to receive a report from a second wireless terminal including information relating to a second wireless local area network, WLAN, access point, AP, and wherein the request transmission module (1263) is further configured to transmit a request to the WLAN termination node to establish a data connection between the base station (1101a) and the second wireless terminal (1301) through the WLAN termination node, the base station further comprising:

a second information addition module (1277) configured to add at least a portion of the information for the second WLAN access point to a blacklist and/or to a low priority list in memory of the base station (1101a), responsive to failure receiving an indication of reception of data at the second wireless terminal from the base station (1101a) through the WLAN termination node and the second WLAN access point and/or responsive to failure receiving an indication of connection of the second wireless terminal to the second WLAN access point.

71. The base station of any of Claims 60-70, the base station further comprising: a first instruction transmission module (1253) configured to transmit instructions to the wireless terminal to generate reports for WLAN access points detected by the wireless terminal (1301) before receiving the report.

72. The base station of any of Claims 60-66 wherein the base station and the WLAN termination node are coupled over an Xw interface so that the request is transmitted from the base station to the WLAN termination node over the Xw interface.