U.S. patent application number 14/440312 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-22 for methods to enable wlan proximity service.
This patent application is currently assigned to INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS, INC.. Invention is credited to Saad Ahmad.
Application Number | 20150305070 14/440312 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49627062 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150305070 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ahmad; Saad |
October 22, 2015 |
METHODS TO ENABLE WLAN PROXIMITY SERVICE
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are described for implementing a wireless
local area network (WLAN) Proximity Service (ProSe) connection in a
WLAN ProSe capable wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU). The WLAN
ProSe capable WTRU requests an establishment of a WLAN ProSe
connection with other WLAN ProSe capable WTRU(s), where a ProSe
discovery process determines the presence of other WLAN ProSe
capable WTRU(s). Configuration information is received, via a
non-access stratum or a radio resource control message, from a
network node to facilitate the WLAN ProSe connection to the other
WLAN ProSe capable WTRU(s). The configuration information includes
one of a WLAN ID of the other WLAN ProSe capable WTRU(s), a medium
access control ID of the other WLAN ProSe capable WTRU(s), a WLAN
access point Service Set Identification (SSID) or Basic SSID, a
frequency or channel number, a beacon interval, and timing
information.
Inventors: |
Ahmad; Saad; (Montreal,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS, INC. |
Wilmington |
DE |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS,
INC.
Wilmington
DE
|
Family ID: |
49627062 |
Appl. No.: |
14/440312 |
Filed: |
November 1, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
November 1, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2013/067986 |
371 Date: |
May 1, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61721321 |
Nov 1, 2012 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
370/338 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 12/04 20130101;
H04W 12/04031 20190101; H04W 76/23 20180201; H04W 48/20 20130101;
H04W 76/10 20180201; H04W 84/12 20130101; H04W 76/16 20180201; H04W
48/16 20130101; H04W 4/80 20180201; H04W 76/14 20180201 |
International
Class: |
H04W 76/02 20060101
H04W076/02; H04W 48/16 20060101 H04W048/16; H04W 84/12 20060101
H04W084/12 |
Claims
1. A method for establishing a wireless local area network (WLAN)
proximity service (ProSe) connectivity between a first WLAN ProSe
capable wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and a second WLAN
ProSe capable WTRU, the method comprising: receiving a request from
the first WLAN ProSe capable WTRU to establish a WLAN ProSe
connection to the second WLAN ProSe capable WTRU, the request
including at least an identification of the second WLAN ProSe
capable WTRU; transmitting a WLAN ProSe ID associated with the
identification of the second WLAN ProSe capable WTRU and a WLAN
ProSe ID associated with the first WLAN ProSe capable WTRU to a
WLAN access point (AP) discovered in a predetermined area; and
transmitting a configuration message with information associated
with the WLAN AP to the first WLAN ProSe capable WTRU and the
second WLAN ProSe capable WTRU to start the WLAN ProSe
connection.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining WLAN
ProSe capabilities of the first WLAN ProSe capable WTRU and the
second WLAN ProSe capable WTRU.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: performing discovery
of at least one WLAN access point (AP);
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising: receiving
configuration information from the at least WLAN AP.
5. The method of claim 3, further comprising: querying a ProSe
server for a list of WLAN APs and associated configuration
information.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration message is an
implicit indication to start the WLAN ProSe connection.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration message
includes an explicit indication to start the WLAN ProSe
connection.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration message is one
of a radio resource control (RRC) or a Non-access stratum (NAS)
message.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting
identification of established radio bearers that need to be
switched to the WLAN ProSe connection.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting address
information of the second WLAN ProSe capable WTRU to the first WLAN
ProSe capable WTRU.
11. A method in a first WLAN ProSe capable wireless
transmit/receive unit (WTRU) for establishing direct wireless local
area network (WLAN) proximity service (ProSe) connectivity with a
second WLAN ProSe capable WTRU, the method comprising: transmitting
a request from the first WLAN ProSe capable WTRU to establish a
WLAN ProSe connection with the second WLAN ProSe capable WTRU , the
request including at least an identification of the second WLAN
ProSe capable WTRU; receiving a WLAN ProSe ID associated with the
identification of the second WLAN ProSe capable WTRU to perform
WLAN ProSe discovery; receiving a configuration message associated
with the second WLAN ProSe capable WTRU to start the WLAN ProSe
connection; and establishing a direct WLAN ProSe connection with
the second WLAN ProSe capable WTRU based on the configuration
message.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: transmitting WLAN
ProSe capabilities to a network node.
13. The method of claim 11, further comprising: performing a
discovery process using the WLAN ProSe ID.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: transmitting
location information of the first WLAN ProSe capable WTRU to the
network node.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein the configuration message is
one of a radio resource control (RRC) or a Non-access stratum (NAS)
message.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein the configuration information
includes at least one of: WLAN ID of the second WLAN ProSe capable
WTRU , a medium access control (MAC) ID of the second WLAN ProSe
capable WTRU, a frequency or channel number, a beacon interval, and
timing information.
17. A WLAN ProSe capable wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU),
comprising: a transmitter configured to transmit a request to
establish a WLAN ProSe connection to a second WLAN ProSe WTRU, the
request including at least an identification of the second WLAN
ProSe WTRU; a receiver configured to receive a WLAN ProSe ID
associated with the identification of the second WLAN ProSe WTRU to
perform WLAN ProSe discovery; the receiver configured to receive a
configuration message associated with the second WLAN ProSe WTRU to
start the WLAN ProSe connection; and the transmitter, the receiver
and a processor configured to establish a direct WLAN ProSe
connection with the second WLAN ProSe WTRU based on the
configuration message.
18. The WTRU of claim 17, further comprising: the transmitter, the
receiver and the processor configured to perform discovery using
the WLAN ProSe ID.
19. The WTRU of claim 17, wherein the configuration message is one
of a radio resource control (RRC) or a Non-access stratum (NAS)
message.
20. The WTRU of claim 17, wherein the configuration information
includes at least one of: WLAN ID of the second WLAN ProSe capable
WTRU , a medium access control (MAC) ID of the second WLAN ProSe
capable WTRU, a frequency or channel number, a beacon interval, and
timing information.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of PCT Application No.
PCT/US2013/067986, filed Nov. 12, 2013, and U.S. provisional
application No. 61/721,321, filed Nov. 1, 2012, the contents of
which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Proximity-based services involve devices that are within
proximity of each other. These devices are able to exchange data,
for example, if they are running similar applications.
[0003] Currently, traffic and signaling are generally routed in the
network, and proximity-based services are not widely implemented.
However, there are widespread applications for which proximity
based services may be desired, including: commercial/social use
network offloading, public safety, integration of current
infrastructure services, and to assure the consistency of the user
experience including reachability and mobility aspects.
[0004] Accordingly, methods and apparatus to enable wireless local
area network, based proximity service are desired.
SUMMARY
[0005] Described herein are methods and apparatus for enabling a
wireless local area network (WLAN). A network may be configured to
establish a WLAN Proximity Service (ProSe) connection between WLAN
ProSe capable wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUO based on a
trigger or request. The triggers or requests for establishing the
WLAN ProSe connection may be generated by the WLAN ProSe capable
WTRU or come from the network. The methods further describe how to
enable an evolved-Node-B (eNB) or Mobility Management. Entity (MME)
to discover an access point (AP) in a predetermined area to
facilitate the WLAN ProSe connection. Other described methods
facilitate connection establishment, procedures, for example, the
network may provide configuration information to the WTRU via Radio
Resource Control (RRC) or Non-Access Stratum (NAS) signaling to
establish the connection. The WLAN ProSe connection may be via a
WLAN AP or a WLAN ProSe direct link connection between WLAN ProSe
capable WTRU(s).
[0006] In an example direct link method, a WLAN ProSe capable WTRU
triggers or requests an establishment, of a WLAN ProSe connection
with other WLAN ProSe capable WTRU(s), where a ProSe discovery
process is used to determine the presence of other WLAN ProSe
capable WTRU(s). The WTRU receives configuration information from a
network node to facilitate the WLAN ProSe connection to other WLAN
ProSe capable WTRU(s). The configuration information includes one
of a WLAN ID of the other WLAN ProSe capable WTRU(s), a medium
access control (MAC) ID of the other WLAN ProSe capable WTRU(s), a
WLAN access point Service Set Identification (SSID) or Basic SSID
(BSSID), a frequency or channel number, a beacon interval, and
timing information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] A more detailed understanding may be had from the following
description, given by way of example in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1A is a system diagram of an example communications
system in which one or more disclosed embodiments may be
implemented;
[0009] FIG. 1B is a system diagram of an example wireless
transmit/receive unit (WTRU) that may be used within the
communications system illustrated in FIG. 1A;
[0010] FIG. 1C is a system diagram of an example radio access
network and an example core network that may be used within the
communications system illustrated in FIG. 1A;
[0011] FIG. 2 shows an example scenario where a network or wireless
transmit/receive units (WTRUs) determine that they are within a
predetermined proximity;
[0012] FIG. 3 shows an example of additional paths for proximity
communication;
[0013] FIG. 4 shows an example where the data path for
communication is WTRU to WTRU directly over an air interface;
[0014] FIG. 5 shows an example method wherein communication traffic
is offloaded over Wi-Fi;
[0015] FIG. 6 shows two example cases of enabling proximity service
(ProSe) using wireless local area network (WLAN):
[0016] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of an example method for WLAN ProSe
connectivity via a WLAN AP;
[0017] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart for a direct link connection
between at least two WLAN ProSe capable WTRUs; and
[0018] FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a method to enable WLAN ProSe
connections.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] FIG. 1A is a diagram of an example communications system 100
in which one or more disclosed embodiments may be implemented. The
communications system 100 may be a multiple access system that
provides content, such as voice, data, video, messaging, broadcast,
etc., to multiple wireless users. The communications system 100 may
enable multiple wireless users to access such content through the
sharing of system resources, including wireless bandwidth. For
example, the communications systems 100 may employ one or more
channel access methods, such as code division multiple access
(CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division
multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA. (OFDMA), single-carrier
FDMA (SC-FDMA), and the like.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 1A, the communications system 100 may
include wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) 102a, 102h, 102e,
102d, a radio access network (RAN) 104, a core network 106, a
public switched telephone network (PSTN) 108, the Internet 110, and
other networks 112, though it will be appreciated that the
disclosed embodiments contemplate any number of WTRUs, base
stations, networks, and/or network elements. Each of the WTRUs
102a, 102b, 102c, 102d may be any type of device configured to
operate and/or communicate in a wireless environment. By way of
example, the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d may be configured to
transmit and/or receive wireless signals and may include user
equipment (UE), a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber
unit, a pager, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant
(PDA), a smartplione, a laptop, a netbook, a personal computer, a
wireless sensor, consumer electronics, and the like.
[0021] The communications systems 100 may also include a base
station 114a and a base station 114b. Each of the base stations
114a, 114b may be any type of device configured to wirelessly
interface with at least one of the WTRUs 102a, 102h, 102c, 102d to
facilitate access to one or more communication networks, such as
the core network 106, the Internet 110, and/or the networks 112. By
way of example, the base stations 114a, 114b may be a base
transceiver station (BTS), a Node-B, an eNode B, a Home Node B, a
Home eNode B, a site controller, an access point (AP), a wireless
router, and the like. While the base stations 114a, 114b are each
depicted as a single element, it will be appreciated that the base
stations 114a, 114b may include any number of interconnected base
stations and/or network elements.
[0022] The base station 114a may be part of the RAN 104, which may
also include other base stations and/or network elements (not
shown), such as a base station controller (BSC), a radio network
controller (RNC), relay nodes, etc. The base station 114a and/or
the base station 114b may be configured to transmit and/or receive
wireless signals within a particular geographic region, which may
be referred to as a cell (not shown). The cell may further be
divided into cell sectors. For example, the cell associated with
the base station 114a may be divided into three sectors. Thus, in
one embodiment, the base station 114a may include three
transceivers, i.e., one for each sector of the cell. In another
embodiment, the base station 114a may employ multiple-input
multiple output (MIMO) technology and, therefore, may utilize
multiple transceivers for each sector of the cell.
[0023] The base stations 114a, 114b may communicate with one or
more of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d over an air interface 116,
which may be any suitable wireless communication link (e.g., radio
frequency (RF), microwave, infrared (IR), Ultraviolet (UV), visible
light, etc.). The air interface 116 may be established using any
suitable radio access technology (RAT).
[0024] More specifically, as noted above, the communications system
100 may be a multiple access system and may employ one or more
channel access schemes, such as COMA, TDMA, FDMA, GFDMA, SC-FDMA,
and the like. For example, the base station 114a in the RAN 104 and
the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement a radio technology such as
Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UNITS) Terrestrial
Radio Access (UTRA), which may establish the air interface 116
using widehand CDMA (WCDMA). WCDMA may include communication
protocols such as High-Speed Packet. Access (HSPA) and/or Evolved
HSPA (HSPA+). HSPA may include High-Speed Downlink Packet Access
(HSDPA) and/or High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA).
[0025] In another embodiment, the base station 114a and the WTRUs
102a, 102b, 102c may implement, a radio technology such as Evolved
UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA), which may establish the air
interface 116 using Long Term Evolution (LTE) and/or LTE-Advanced
(LTE-A).
[0026] In other embodiments, the base station 114a and the WTRUs
102a, 102b, 102c may implement radio technologies such as IEEE
802.16 (i.e.. Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access
(WiMAX)), CDMA2000, CDMA2000 1X, CDMA2000 EV-DO, Interim Standard
2000 (IS-2000), Interim Standard 95 (IS-95), Interim Standard 856
(15-856), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Enhanced
Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE). GSM EDGE (GERAN), and the
like.
[0027] The base station 114b in FIG. 1A may be a wireless router,
Home Node B, Home eNode B, or access point, for example, and may
utilize any suitable RAT for facilitating wireless connectivity in
a localized area, such as a place of business, a home, a vehicle, a
campus, and the like. In one embodiment, the base station 114b and
the WTRUs 102c, 102d may implement a radio technology such as IEEE
802.11 to establish a wireless local area network (WLAN). In
another embodiment, the base station 114b and the WTRUs 102c, 102d
may implement a radio technology such as IEEE 802.15 to establish a
wireless personal area network (WPAN). In yet another embodiment,
the base station 114b and the WTRUs 102c, 102d may utilize a
cellular-based RAT WCDMA, CDMA2000, GSM, LTE, LTE-A, etc.) to
establish a pieoeell or femtocell. As shown in FIG. 1A, the base
station 114b may have a direct connection to the Internet 110.
Thus, the base station 114b may not be required to access the
Internet 110 via the core network 106.
[0028] The RAN 104 may be in communication with the core network
106, which may be any type of network configured to provide voice,
data applications, and/or voice over internet protocol (VoIP)
services to one or more of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d. For
example, the core network 106 may provide call control, billing
services, mobile location-based services, pre-paid calling,
Internet connectivity, video distribution, etc., and/or perform
high-level security functions, such as user authentication.
Although not shown in FIG. 1A, it will be appreciated that the. RAN
104 and/or the core network 106 may be in direct or indirect
communication with other RANs that employ the same RAT as the RAN
104 or a different RAT. For example, in addition to being connected
to the RAN 104, which may be utilizing an E-UTRA radio technology,
the core network 106 may also be in communication with another RAN
(not shown) employing a GSM radio technology.
[0029] The core network 106 may also serve as a gateway for the
WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d to access the PSTN 108, the Internet
110, and/or other networks 112. The PSTN 108 may include
circuit-switched telephone networks that provide plain old
telephone service (POTS). The Internet 110 may include, a global
system of interconnected computer networks and devices that use
common communication protocols, such as the transmission control
protocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP) and the internet
protocol (IP) in the TCP/IP internet protocol suite. The networks
112 may include wired or wireless communications networks owned
and/or operated by other service providers. For example, the
networks 112 may include another core network connected to one or
more RANs, which may employ the same RAT as the RAN 104 or a
different RAT.
[0030] Some or all of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d in the
communications system 100 may include multi-mode capabilities,
i.e., the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d may include multiple
transceivers for communicating with different wireless networks
over different wireless links. For example, the WTRU 102c shown in
FIG. 1A may be configured to communicate with the base station
114a, which may employ a cellular-based radio technology, and with
the base station 114b, which may employ an IEEE 802 radio
technology.
[0031] FIG. 1B is a system diagram of an example WTRU 102. As shown
in FIG. 1B, the WTRU 102 may include a processor 118, a transceiver
120, a transmit/receive element 122, a speaker/microphone 124, a
keypad 126, a display/touchpad 128, non-removable memory 130,
removable memory 132, a power source 134, a global positioning
system (GPS) chipset 136, and other peripherals 138. It will be
appreciated that the WTRU 102 may include any sub-combination of
the foregoing elements while remaining consistent with an
embodiment.
[0032] The processor 118 may be a general purpose processor, a
special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital
signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more
microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a
microcontroller, Application Specific integrated Circuits (ASICs),
Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGAs) circuits, any other type of
integrated circuit (IC), a state machine, and the like. The
processor 118 may perform signal coding, data processing, power
control, input/output processing, and/or any other functionality
that enables the WTRU 102 to operate in a wireless environment. The
processor 118 may be coupled to the transceiver 120, which may be
coupled to the transmit/receive element 122. While FIG. 1B depicts
the processor 118 and the transceiver 120 as separate components,
it will be appreciated that the processor 118 and the transceiver
120 may be integrated together in an electronic package or
chip.
[0033] The transmit/receive element 122 may be configured to
transmit signals to, or receive signals from, a base station (e.g.,
the base station 114a) over the air interface 116. For example, in
one embodiment, the transmit/receive element 122 may be an antenna
configured to transmit and/or receive RF signals, In another
embodiment, the transmit/receive element 122 may be an
emitter/detector configured to transmit and/or receive IR, UV, or
visible light signals, for example. In yet another embodiment, the
transmit/receive element 122 may be configured to transmit and
receive both RF and light signals. It will be appreciated that the
transmit/receive element 122 may be configured to transmit and/or
receive any combination of wireless signals.
[0034] In addition, although the transmit/receive element 122 is
depicted in FIG. 1B, as a single element, the WTRU 102 may include
any number of transmit/receive elements 122. More specifically, the
WTRU 102 may employ MIMO technology. Thus, in one embodiment, the
WTRU 102 may include two or more transmit/receive elements 122
(e.g., multiple antennas) for transmitting and receiving wireless
signals over the air interface 116.
[0035] The transceiver 120 may be configured to modulate the
signals that are to be transmitted by the transmit/receive element
122 and to demodulate the signals that are received by the
transmit/receive element 122. As noted above, the WTRU 102 may have
multi-mode capabilities. Thus, the transceiver 120 may include
multiple transceivers for enabling the WTRU 102 to communicate via
multiple RATs, such as UTRA and IEEE 802.11, for example.
[0036] The processor 118 of the WTRU 102 may be coupled to, and may
receive user input, data from, the speaker/microphone. 124, the
keypad 126, and/or the display/touchpad 128 (e.g., a liquid crystal
display (LCD) display unit or organic light-emitting diode (OLED)
display unit). The processor 118 may also output user data to the
speaker/microphone 124, the keypad 126, and/or the display/touchpad
128. In addition, the processor 118 may access information from,
and store data in, any type of suitable memory, such as the
non-removable memory 130 and/or the removable memory 132. The
non-removable memory 130 may include random-access memory (RAM),
read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk, or any other type of memory
storage device. The removable memory 132 may include a subscriber
identity module (SIM) card, a memory stick, a secure digital (SD)
memory card, and the like, in other embodiments, the processor 118
may access information from, and store data in, memory that is not
physically located on the WTRU 102, such as on a server or a home
computer (not shown).
[0037] The processor 118 may receive power from the power source
134, and may be configured to distribute and/or control the power
to the other components in the WTRU 102. The power source 134 may
be any suitable device for powering the WTRU 102. For example, the
power source 134 may include one or more dry cell batteries (e.g.,
nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel-zinc (NiZn), nickel metal hydride
(NiMH), lithium-ion (Li-ion), etc.), solar cells, fuel cells, and
the like.
[0038] The processor 118 may also be coupled to the GPS chipset
136, which may be configured to provide location information (e.g.,
longitude and latitude) regarding the current location of the WTRU
102. In addition to, or in lieu of, the inthrmation from the GPS
chipset 136, the WTRU 102 may receive location information over the
air interface 116 from a base station (e.g., base stations 114a,
114b) and/or determine its location based on the timing of the
signals being received from two or more nearby base stations, it
will be appreciated that the WTRU 102 may acquire location
information by way of any suitable location-determination method
while remaining consistent with an embodiment.
[0039] The processor 118 may further be coupled to other
peripherals 138, which may include one or more software and/or
hardware modules that provide additional features, functionality
and/or wired or wireless connectivity. For example, the peripherals
138 may include an accelerometer, an e-compass, a satellite
transceiver, a digital camera (for photographs or video), a
universal serial bus (USB) port, a vibration device, a television
transceiver, a hands free headset, a Bluetooth.RTM. module, a
frequency modulated (FM) radio unit, a digital music player, a
media player, a video game player module, an Internet browser, and
the like.
[0040] FIG. 1C is a system diagram of the RAN 104 and the core
network 106 according to an embodiment. As noted above, the RAN 104
may employ an E-UTRA radio technology to communicate with the WTRUs
102a, 102b, 102c over the air interface 116. The RAN 104 may also
be in communication with the core network 106.
[0041] The RAN 104 may include eNode-Bs 140a, 140b, 140c, though it
will be appreciated that the RAN 104 may include any number of
eNode-Bs while remaining consistent with an embodiment. The
eNode-Bs 140a, 140b, 140c may each include one or more transceivers
for communicating with the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c over the air
interface 116. In one embodiment, the eNode-Bs 140a, 140b, 140c may
implement MIMO technology. Thus, the eNode-B 140a, for example, may
use multiple antennas to transmit wireless signals to, and receive
wireless signals from, the WTRU 102a.
[0042] Each of the eNode-Es 140a, 140b, 140c may be associated with
a particular cell (not shown) and may be configured to handle radio
resource management decisions, handover decisions, scheduling of
users in the uplink and/or downlink, and the like. As shown in FIG.
1e, the eNode-Bs 140a, 140b, 140c may communicate with one another
over an X2 interface.
[0043] Elite core network 106 shown in FIG. 1C may include a
mobility management gateway (MME) 142, a serving gateway 144, and a
packet data network (PDN) gateway 146. While each of the foregoing
elements are depicted as part of the core network 106, it will be
appreciated that any one of these elements may be owned and/or
operated by an entity other than the core network operator.
[0044] The MME 142 may be connected to each of the eNode-Bs 142a,
142b, 142c in the RAN 104 via an S1 interface and may serve as a
control node. For example, the MME 142 may be responsible for
authenticating users of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, bearer
activation/deactivation, selecting a particular serving gateway
during an initial attach of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, and the
like. The MME 142 may also provide a control plane function for
switching between the RAN 104 and other RANs (not shown) that
employ other radio technologies, such as GSM or WCDMA.
[0045] The serving gateway 144 may be connected to each of the
eNode Bs 140a, 140b, 140c in the RAN 104 via the S1 interface, The
serving gateway 144 may generally route and forward user data
packets to/from the WTRUs 102a, 102h, 102c. The serving gateway 144
may also perform other functions, such as anchoring user planes
during inter-eNode B handovers, triggering paging when downlink
data is available for the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, managing and
storing contexts of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, and the like.
[0046] The serving gateway 144 may also be connected to the PDN
gateway 146, which may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with
access to packet switched networks, such as the Internet 110, to
facilitate communications between the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and
IP-enabled devices.
[0047] The core network 106 may facilitate communications with
other networks. For example, the core network 108 may provide the
WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to circuit-switched networks,
such as the PSTN 108, to facilitate communications between the
WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and traditional land-line communications
devices. For example, the core network 106 may include, or may
communicate with, an IP gateway (e.g., an IP multimedia subsystem
(IMS) server) that serves as an interface between the core network
106 and the PSTN 108. In addition, the core network 106 may provide
the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to the networks 112, which
may include other wired or wireless networks that are owned and/or
operated by other service providers.
[0048] Proximity-based Services may involve the WTRU proximity
discovery, the WTRU consent to being discoverable, contactable or
conversational, the proximity WTRU to WTRU communications and the
controllability and policies by the network or operators to the
discovery, discoverability and the subsequent forms of
communication.
[0049] FIG. 2 shows a WTRU1 205, a WTRU2 210, an eNB 215, an eNB
220 and a Serving Gateway (SGW) and Packet Data Network Gateway
(PDN GW) SGW/PDN GW 225 in an example embodiment where the network
or WTRUs, (WTRU1 205, WTRU2 210 or both), determine that they are
within a predetermined proximity. In this embodiment, communication
between WTRU1 205 and WTRU2 210 is performed via eNB 215, eNB 220
and the core network (CN) nodes such as the SGW/PDN GW 225.
[0050] Communications between proximity WTRUs may be enhanced to
take other paths such as direct, (i.e. direct radio path in
licensed/unlicensed spectrum within certain distances), or
indirect, (through network elements--intra/inter-cell or
intra/inter-eNB), or S-GW, and the like), which may be controlled
by the network or by operators.
[0051] FIG. 3 shows a WTRU1 305, a WTRU2 310, an eNB 315, an eNB
320 and a SGW/PDN GW 325 in an embodiment of an indirect path for
proximity communication. In this embodiment, the network or WTRUs,
(WTRU1 305, WTRU2 310 or both), determine that they are within a
predetermined proximity. The communication between WTRU1 305 and
WTRU2 310 is performed via eNB 315.
[0052] FIG. 4 shows a WTRU1 405, a WTRU2 410, an eNB 415, an eNB
420 and a SGW/PDN GW 425 in an embodiment of a direct path for
proximity communication. In this embodiment, the network or WTRUs,
(WTRU1 405, WTRU2 410 or both), determine that they are within, a
predetermined proximity. The communication between WTRU1 405 and
WTRU2 310 is performed directly over the air interface.
[0053] The proximity service data path selection, (direct, or
indirect over a certain path in the infrastructure), may be
determined by the radio or network coverage, load conditions or by
policies set by network or operators. Proximity-Based Services are
expected to be supported in network sharing deployments.
[0054] In another embodiment, a direct communication may be used
between proximity service (ProSe) enabled WTRUs that have wireless
local area network (WLAN) capability. To enable such communication,
the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Evolved Packet Core
(EPC) may provide WLAN configuration information to the WTRUs
involved in proximity communication.
[0055] In another embodiment, the cellular network may be
configured to switch a communication from a cellular infrastructure
path to a WLAN ProSe path and vice versa. This switch may be
initiated, for example, when two WTRUs are engaged in a data
session, (including one or more flows), routed over the mobile
network operator's (MNO's) core network infrastructure and these
WTRUs move within WLAN communication range. The cellular system may
switch their data session to the WLAN ProSe communication path.
Later, when the same WTRUs move out of WLAN communication range,
the cellular system may switch their data session back to the MNO's
infrastructure path.
[0056] WiFi (WLANs) may be used to offload a 3GPP Long Term
Evolution (LTE) system from user plane traffic. In one embodiment,
an eNB may be collocated with a WiFi access point (AP), the eNB may
dynamically or semi-statically send data over an LTE air interface
and a Wi-Fi AP air interface. The LTE user plane traffic may be
partially or totally offloaded on to Wi-Fi. The offload method,
e.g. the protocol layer, (such as Packet Data Convergence Protocol
(PDCP), Radio Link Control (RLC) and the like), at which offload
may occur may be preconfigured or dynamically selected.
[0057] FIG. 5 shows an example embodiment and method where
communication traffic is offloaded over. The embodiment shows an AP
505, an eNB 510, a WTRU 515, a SGW 520, a MME 525 and a PDN GW 530.
The AP 505 is connected to the collocated eNB 510 via link 540,
(including interface for exchanging information). The eNB 510 is
configured to offload a portion of the download traffic being sent
over LTE link/air interface 550 over the Wi-Fi link/air interface
560. On a condition that the eNB 510 has determined that the WTRU
515 is connected to the Wi-Fi AP 505, the eNB 510 may offload
downlink traffic over the Wi-Fi AP link 560. The WTRU 515 may be
configured to receive data from the eNB 510 and the Wi-Fi AP 505
nearly simultaneously. In the uplink, the WTRU 515 may be
configured to transmit a portion of data over the LTE air interface
550 and another portion of data over the Wi-Fi air interface 560.
The Wi-Fi AP 505 may then be configured to forward to the eNB 510
data received from the WTRU 515, via interface 540 that connects
the eNB 510 and the AP 505.
[0058] To enable proximity connection between two WTRUs a new
network node is being defined in the 3GPP network architecture
called a proximity service (ProSe) server or function. The ProSe
server in the network, (as part of EPS), has a reference point,
towards the ProSe. Application Server, towards the EPC and the
WTRU. The functionality may include, but is not restricted to
interworking via a reference point towards third party
applications; authorization and configuration of the WTRU for
discovery and direct communication are controlled by a home public
land mobile network (HPLMN) ProSe function in a non-roaming case
and by the HPLMN or visited public land mobile network (VPLMN)
ProSe function in a roaming case; enable the functionality of the
EPC level ProSe discovery; ProSe related new subscriber data
and/handling of data storage; handling of ProSe identities;
security related functionality; provide control towards the EPC for
policy related functionality; and provide functionality for
charging, (via or outside of EPC, e.g. offline charging).
[0059] FIG. 6 shows two example embodiments or cases of enabling
ProSe using WLAN. A first case or embodiment 600 includes an eNB
605, a WLAN AP 610, a WTRU1 615 and a WTRU1 620. The eNB 605 is
connected to the WLAN AP 610 via a link 612, which may be, for
example, an I/F interface. A WLAN ProSe connection 622 is shown
between devices connected to the WLAN AP 610, which may be
controlled by a 3GPP system, for example, via eNB 605. A second
case or embodiment 650 shows a direct link, connection 672 between
WTRU3 660 and WTRU4 670, in this case 650, there may be no WLAN AP
in the WLAN ProSe connection 672. This type of direct WLAN ProSe
connection 672 may be implemented as a WLAN ad hoc connection, a
Wi-Fi direct type of connection or any other direct link
connection. As described herein below, the WLAN ProSe connections
622 and 672 may be managed by the eNB 605 or the 3GPP system. The
configuration for the WLAN AP 610 may be provided by the 3GPP
system. The 3GPP system may be able to request when to start or
tear down the WLAN ProSe connection or change it back to the 3GPP
based ProSe connection. A ProSe server 680 may be included for use
in both embodiments 600 and 650 as described herein below.
Communication between the ProSe server 680 and a WTRU, such as
WTRUs 615, 620, 660 and 670 may take place either via user plane or
control plane. For example, communications may take place between a
mobility management entity (MME) or Non-access stratum (NAS)
messaging. The ProSe server 680 authorizes the ProSe connection and
assigns ProSe IDs. The term cellular system or network includes,
but is not limited to, a 3GPP system or network, which in turn
includes, but is not limited to, a LTE system or network. The term
WLAN includes, but is not limited to, WiFi, 802.11 based systems
and the like. The terms system and network are used
interchangeably.
[0060] Described herein are triggers for establishing a WLAN ProSe
connection. The triggers for establishing the WLAN ProSe connection
may be based on triggers initiated by the WTRU or triggers that may
be signaled from the cellular network such as a 3GPP network. The
cellular network may establish a WLAN ProSe connection between
WLAN-capable WTRUs based on these triggers. These triggers may also
be used to move an existing LTE based ProSe connection to a WLAN
based ProSe connection, for example.
[0061] The WTRU may initiate triggers including user preference
triggers, application preference triggers, WTRU switch triggers,
and public safety triggers.
[0062] In an embodiment, user preference triggers may be used for
establishing a WLAN ProSe connection. A user may prefer to use WLAN
for ProSe communication, for example, for billing reasons or saving
network bandwidth. The WTRU may include a configuration/setting to
select a preference for WLAN ProSe offloading. The user may select
WLAN ProSe as a preferred choice for ProSe. This preference may be
indicated to the network upon initial registration or separate
signaling requesting a ProSe connection. If the request is sent
upon initial registration the WTRU may send the request again on a
condition that the user preference changes. This indication may be
sent to the network as a new message, (e.g. new Radio Resource
Control (RRC) message or new Non-access stratum (NAS) message), or
as a new Information Element (IE) in an existing RRC or NAS
message. Alternatively, this change in preference may be indicated
as an application level, signaling to the ProSe server.
[0063] In another embodiment, an application preference trigger may
be used to establish a WLAN ProSe connection. ProSe applications
may be configured to set a default preference to use WLAN ProSe
communication over cellular or 3GPP based ProSe communication. When
such an application is operating on the WTRU, the WTRU may send an
indication to the ProSe server via application level signaling that
a WLAN ProSe connection is preferred. The ProSe server may then
contact a Mobility Management Entity (MME) or other nodes in the
EPC network to enable the WLAN ProSe connection. Alternatively,
when the application requires or prefers a WLAN ProSe connection,
the application may access Application Programming Interfaces
(APIs) in the WTRU's operating system between the application and
the protocol stack to indicate the preference. Once the WTRU has
determined that an application has requested to use WLAN for ProSe
communication, the WTRU may directly send an indication to the
network via RRC or NAS signaling to establish or switch the
connection to WLAN ProSe connection.
[0064] In another embodiment, when one of the WTRUs or an
application on one of the WTRUs makes a request to switch to WLAN
ProSe communications, this may in turn trigger the network to
request the other WTRU to turn on its WLAN radio for proximity.
This assumes that the network has determined that the other WTRU is
WLAN ProSe capable.
[0065] In another embodiment, a public safety trigger may be used
for establishing a WLAN ProSe connection. In a public safety
scenario, the WTRU may be configured to transmit distress signals
using both WLAN ProSe and LTE/cellular ProSe. This may increase the
chance of the distress signal reaching the recipient. The WTRU may
be configured to determine that a disaster condition exists. To
transmit a distress signal, the WTRU may activate both the WLAN
radio and LTE/cellular radio and send public safety ProSe signals
using both. The distress signal may be received by the Earthquake
and Tsunami Warning System (ETWS) type system or some other system
implemented for such disaster scenarios.
[0066] The triggers to establish the WLAN based ProSe connection
may be sent from different nodes in the EPC network. Based on the
WLAN capabilities of the WTRUs involved in the proximity
communication, the network may establish the WLAN ProSe connection.
Alternatively, the network may initiate a switch from a
3GPP/cellular based proximity connection to a WLAN ProSe connection
based on the WTRU's capabilities. The triggers may be sent from
eNB, MME, ProSe server or another node in the EPC network.
[0067] In an example embodiment of a network initiated trigger, the
eNB or MME may periodically request the WLAN-capable WTRUs to
perform WLAN measurements to determine whether they are within a
predetermined proximity with a WLAN AP or other WLAN-capable WTRUs.
Based on these measurements the network may trigger connection
establishment for a WLAN/Wi-Fi. ProSe connection.
[0068] In another example embodiment of a network initiated
trigger, the WTRUs may be switched from a LTE ProSe connection to
WLAN ProSe connection when the WTRUs involved in a proximity
connection enter the ProSE area that supports WLAN capability. For
example, this scenario may apply when eNB has an interface with the
WLAN AP, as shown in FIG. 6. When the eNB 605 determines that both
WTRU1 615 and WTRU2 620 are in the proximity area and are able to
be served by the WLAN AP (310, the eNB 605 may request WTRU1 615
and WTRU2 620 to switch their proximity connection to the WLAN
proximity connection through the WLAN AP 610 connected to the eNB
605.
[0069] In another example embodiment of a network initiated
trigger, the network may switch from a 3GPP/cellular based ProSe
connection to a WLAN ProSe connection for offload purposes, for
example, when the network is congested. In this scenario, the eNB
or MME may receive a request for a cellular ProSe connection and
may also determine that there is a predetermined level of
congestion at the eNB. The eNB may then indicate to the MME that it
is congested and that it may not able to satisfy the quality of
service (QoS) required for the cellular ProSe connection. The MME
upon receiving such indication may request the WTRU to establish a
WLAN ProSe connection. The WTRUs may then perform WLAN proximity
discovery, (for example, if they have not discovered each other),
before establishing a WLAN ProSe connection.
[0070] Described herein is a method for performing a WLAN ProSe
connection via the WLAP AR In this scenario, a WLAN ProSe capable
WTRU signals the LTE network of the WTRU's capabilities. This
signaling may also inform the LTE network of the capabilities for a
WLAN for proximity communication. These capabilities may be
transmitted by the WTRU upon registration in the attach message or
a new NAS message. Alternatively, the WTRU may send these
capabilities when the ProSe feature is activated in the WTRU.
Alternatively, the WTRU may send these capabilities when a request
or a PDN connection request is sent by the WTRU for ProSe
connection. Alternatively, the network may request the WTRU to send
the WLAN capabilities when the network has determined to establish
or switch the connection to a WLAN ProSe connection.
[0071] Described herein are methods for discovery of WLAN AP by the
network. As described above, the WLAN ProSe connection is performed
through the WLAN AP. The network may therefore be configured to
discover the WLAN AP. The eNB, MME or other network node may
discover the WLAN AP in a predetermined area, for example, a ProSe
Area or Tracking Area, so that the MAN AP may be used to establish
the WLAN ProSe connection. The eNB, MME or other network node may
perform the WLAN AP discovery using one or more of the following
methods.
[0072] In one example embodiment of WLAN AP, the WLAN AP may be
collocated with the eNB, as shown, for example in FIG. 5. In this
configuration the eNB may not need to perform a WLAN AP discovery
process. The eNB in this configuration may already know the
credentials of the WLAN AP and the configuration information for
the WLAN network.
[0073] In another example embodiment, the WLAN AP may be a third
party AP which may controlled by the LTE/cellular network. In such
a scenario, the information about these wireless hotspots and the
location may be available in the network database, for example, in
an operations and maintenance (O&M) or access network discovery
and selection function (ANDSF) node. When the eNB or MME may need
to initiate establishment of a WLAN ProSe connection, it may query
the O&M node to determine a list, of available WLAN APs in a
predetermined area. Based on this list, the network may then
select, the best available WLAN AP for the WLAN ProSe
connection.
[0074] In another example embodiment, the WLAN AP may register
itself with a proximity server or another network node, allowing
the network to select a best WLAN AP for a predetermined ProSe
connection. The eNB or MME in the network may query the ProSe
server to determine a list of available WLAN APs and the
configuration information of these corresponding WLAN APs. The best
WLAN AP may be selected from the list, based on some predetermined
criteria, and its configuration information may be sent to the
WTRUs involved in the proximity connection.
[0075] As noted herein above, a proximity server may be configured
to register the WLAN AP for the WLAN ProSe connection through the
WLAN AP This proximity server may be configured to create a
database of WLAN APs in different proximity areas or tracking
areas. The proximity server may provide a list of WLAN APs in a
particular region when queried by the eNB, MME or some other
network mode.
[0076] The registration for the WLAN ProSe may include parameters
such as WLAN AP identity related information, security related
information, and location relation information.
[0077] Parameters concerning WLAN AP identity-related information,
(e.g. parameters required for 802.11 WLAN network identification),
may include at least one of the following: an identity of the
WLAN/Wi-Fi network, (e.g Basic Service Set Identification (SSID)
and/or a medium access control (MAC) address); access credentials
such as subscriber-based parameters, for example; operating
channel/operating frequency; and/or supported access data
rates.
[0078] Parameters concerning security-related information, (e.g.
parameters required for 802.11 authentication), may include at
least the type of security protocol. (e.g. a Wired Equivalent
Privacy (WPA), Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) or WPA II (WPA2)). The
security related information may include at least the type of
encryption algorithm, (e.g. Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP),
a Pre-Share Key mode (PSK)). Additionally the security-related
information may include the security key, which may include, for
example, a string of hexadecimal digits, a hit string, and the
like. The security key may correspond to information from which a
WLAN/Wi-Fi device further derives the encryption key using a known
key derivation function.
[0079] Parameters concerning location-related information may
include a location area for the proximity service. This may include
the tracking area ID of the location or the eNB ID for the eNB
under which the WLAN AP is operating.
[0080] Described herein are methods for device discovery for WLAN
ProSe. Before the WLAN ProSe communication is established. (i.e.
data path for WLAN ProSe is established), the WTRUs involved in the
communication may need to determine that they are within a
predetermined proximity that enables the WTRUs to communicate via
the WLAN interface at, for example, a predetermined QoS. The
network may receive a request for a ProSe connection from a WTRU
which may then initiate the discovery process. Alternatively,
discovery process may be initiated when the network determines that
two WTRUs that are communicating with each other are in a
predetermined proximity of a WLAN AP.
[0081] In the WLAN ProSe connection method performed through the
WLAN AP, the network may receive a request for ProSe connection
from a WTRU. The network may then initiate a 3GPP or LTE based
ProSe discovery process. This 3GPP or LTE based ProSe discovery
process may determine that the WTRUs are able to connect via ProSe.
Once this process is complete, the network may establish WLAN ProSe
connection. This determination may be based at least in part on a
trigger, such as the triggers described heretofore. After the
network determines that a WLAN ProSe connection is to be
established, the network may be configured to perform WLAN ProSe
discovery.
[0082] Described herein are example methods for performing WLAN
ProSe discovery. When the network receives the request for a ProSe
connection, the request may contain identification information of
other WTRUs with which the ProSe connection may be established
(e.g. ProSe ID, Proximity ID, application ID or the like). On a
condition that the network initiates discovery for WLAN ProSe, the
network may transmit the corresponding WLAN ProSe identification
for the WLAN discovery process. This identification may be
transmitted as part of the configuration information or it ma be
transmitted separately at the discovery stage. The eNB may be
configured to query the ProSe server or the MME or some other node
in the EPC network. The network node providing the WLAN ProSe
identity may determine a mapping between the ProSe ID and the
corresponding WLAN ProSe ID. In response to a query with the ProSe
ID, the network node may respond by with a message including the
WLAN ProSe ID. The network may query the WLAN ProSe ID of the WTRUs
involved in the proximity connection and may then transmit the WLAN
ProSe ID to the WLAN AP. The WLAN ProSe ID may be used setup the
WLAN proximity connection. The WLAN AP may be configured to use
this information to discover the WTRUs which require proximity
connection. This WLAN ProSe ID may one or more of the following: 1)
WLAN Interface IP address of the WTRU; 2) MAC ID of the WTRU; 3)
device name set by the user or assigned by the network; and/or 4)
device specific identity assigned by the WLAN AP.
[0083] The network may be configured to transmit the WLAN AP
information to the WTRUs performing WLAN proximity discovery. The
WTRUs may be configured to receive this information and determine
whether they are able to connect to the WLAN AP. The WLAN AP
information transmitted to the WTRUs may include the WLAN AP SSID
or BSSID; the frequency and or/channel number; the type of 802.11
technology supported by the AP; the beacon interval; and/or the
synchronization information, (e.g. time stamp).
[0084] The WTRUs and the AP may then use the WLAN radio and the
information provided by the network to determine if they are in
WLAN radio proximity of each other. To determine radio proximity,
the WLAN AP may be configured to send a probe request to each of
the WTRUs. The WTRU may determine radio proximity by monitoring
beacons transmitted by the WLAN AR The number of beacons that the
WTRU monitors may be provided to the WTRU by the network.
Alternatively, the WTRU may send a probe request to the WLAN AP and
wait for the probe response.
[0085] After the WTRUs and the WLAN AP determine the WLAN radio
proximity, the WTRUs and the WLAN AP may then signal the network
about the result of this WLAN discovery. Based on this information
the network may then determine whether to establish the user plane
path for this WLAN proximity connection request.
[0086] After the discovery process is complete, the network, (eNB,
MME or like network node), may be configured to initiate a
connection establishment procedure. The network may provide
configuration information to the WTRU to establish connection
establishment. This information may be transmitted through a RRC or
NAS message. This configuration information may include one or more
of the following information. For example, the configuration
information may include association parameters to associate to the
WLAN AP (e.g. the data rate, security key such as WPA, WPA2 and the
like), in another example, the configuration information may
include a QoS access category (AC) to WTRU's, (e.g. for a WLAN that
supports QoS (i.e.802.11e)). In another example, the configuration
information may identify capabilities regarding the direct link
feature of 802.11. For example, the configuration information from
the network may signal if the tunneled Direct Link (TDLS) may be
used or the 802.11z based direct link may be used. This information
may be signaled if the WTRUs uses the direct link feature. In
another example, the configuration information may identify a time
period for which this WLAN ProSe connection is being established.
In another example, the configuration information may identify an
inactivity time period after which the link may be torn down. This
is the period of time for which if there is no data transmission on
the WLAN ProSe connection the link may be disconnected. In another
example, the configuration information may include whether or not
the WTRUs may perform contention based access or contention free
access in WLAN.
[0087] When the WTRUs receive these configurations from the
network, it may be an implicit indication from the network to start
the WLAN ProSe connection and then some or all of the ProSe data
from the WTRU may be transmitted over WLAN. Alternatively, the
network may send an explicit indication as an existing or new RRC
or NAS message indicating the start of a WLAN ProSe connection, if
the WTRU and the network have already established data radio
bearers for data transmission, the network may also indicate the
identification of the bearer(s) that needs to be switched to the
WLAN/Wi-Fi path. The network may also indicate to the WTRU the
target address, e.g. the destination Internet Protocol (IP) and MAC
address of the other WTRU.
[0088] The WRTU and the network may be configured to initiate
connection termination based on a trigger. For example, triggers
for connection termination may include the following: 1) a
Proximity Data session has finished; 2) one of the WTRUs moved out
of the coverage of WLAN AP; 3) the LTE/cellular network is
determined to not be congested; 4) the WLAN network is determined
to be congested; 5) battery saving; 6) handover to an eNB that does
not support WLAN/Wi-Fi offload; and 7) a request is received from
an application for more secure communication.
[0089] For a network initiated connection termination, the network
may transmit as request that the WLAN AP terminate the WLAN ProSe
connection. The WLAN AP may then tear down the connection and
signal the WTRUs that the WLAN ProSe connection has been
deactivated. Alternatively, the network may directly inform the
WTRUs and the WTRU may initiate the WLAN connection tear down
procedure.
[0090] For a WTRU initiated connection termination, a WTRU may be
configured to send a message to the WLAN AP and network indicating
that it is leaving the WLAN ProSe connection or session, and the
LTE network or the WLAN AP may then send a message to the other
WTRU about the session termination.
[0091] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart 700 of an example method for WLAN
ProSe connectivity via a WLAN AP. A WLAN ProSe capable WTRU signals
the LTE network of the WTRU's capabilities (705). The network may
need to perform WLAN AP discovery in certain situations as
described herein above (710). The network may receive a request for
a WLAN ProSe connection from a WTRU or alternatively, trigger a
WLAN ProSe connection as described herein above (715) and may then
initiate a 3GPP or LTE based WLAN ProSe discovery process (720),
The WTRUs and the WLAN AP may then use the WLAN radio and the
information provided by the network to determine if they are in
WLAN radio proximity of each other (725). After the discovery
process is complete, the network, (eNB, MME or like network node),
may be configured to initiate a connection establishment, procedure
(730).
[0092] Described herein is direct link connection method between at
least two WLAN ProSe capable WTRUs. In this embodiment, the WLAN
ProSe capable WTRUs may be registered to a ProSe Server or another
LTE network node. For example, the WLAN ProSe capable WTRUs may
register or send WLAN information themselves with the proximity
service. This WLAN WTRU ProSe server registration may be performed,
for example, at registration, or via an application level explicit
message to the ProSe server.
[0093] In an embodiment, a WLAN ProSe capable WTRU may register
itself to the proximity server. This registration may indicate that
the WLAN ProSe capable WTRU supports WLAN ProSe. The WLAN ProSe
capable WTRU may include capability-related parameters in the
registration, (e.g. supported data rates, supported security
protocols and encryption methods), and other capabilities related
to WLAN/Wi-Fi operation necessary to access a WLAN AP.
[0094] In another embodiment. the WLAN ProSe capable WTRU may also
provide location information, e.g. proximity area, location area,
tracking area and the like.
[0095] In another embodiment, the WLAN ProSe capable WTRU may
subsequently receive control signaling from the LTE network which
may provide the WLAN ProSe capable WTRU with a list, of
information, (as described herein above), to assist it in the
configuration process. Such information may include one or a
combination of the information exchanged during registration for
the proximity service for the WLAN AP, which, for example, may
include the WLAN network identity information, security information
or location information.
[0096] The network may receive a request for a ProSe connection.
This request may contain identification information including other
WTRUs with which the ProSe connection may be established, (e.g.
proximity ID, application ID, or another form of identification).
The network may determine to trigger discovery for WLAN ProSe. In
response to this determination, the network transmits the
corresponding WLAN ProSe identification for WLAN discovery process.
The WLAN ProSe identification may be sent as part of the
configuration information or separately only at the discovery
stage. The eNB may then query the Proximity Server (ProSe Server)
or the MIME or some other node in the EPC network. The network node
which provides the WLAN ProSe identity may determine a mapping
between the ProSe ID and the corresponding WLAN ProSe ID, When
queried with the proximity ID, the network node may return the WLAN
ProSe ID. This WLAN ProSe ID may be transmitted to the requesting
WTRU for WLAN ProSe discovery. The WLAN ProSe discovery may be
assisted by the cellular network.
[0097] The network may transmit a notification to the WLAN WTRUs
which indicates whether the beacon or probing mechanism may be used
to perform WLAN discovery (i.e. passive discovery or active
discovery). In the case of active discovery, each WTRU or one of
the WTRUs may transmit a probe request message to the other WTRU.
This probe request message may include the configuration
information received from the network. The WLAN ProSe WTRUs may be
able to complete discovery based on the reply from the probe
request message (i.e. the probe response message). Once this probe
response message is received the WTRUs may send the discovery
information to network so that the network may establish the user
plane connection between the WLAN ProSe WTRUs. The network may also
send a message to the WTRUs indicating the maximum number of probe
responses to be sent before determining that the other WRTU cannot
be discovered.
[0098] After a successful discovery process, the network may enable
a data plane for a WLAN ProSE connection. The network may provide
configuration information to the WTRUs. In addition to the above
described configuration information which includes WLAN AP
information, the network may be configured to provide at least the
following configuration information. This configuration
information, for example, may include the type of the direct WLAN
communication between a ProSE device (e.g. WLAN ad hoc network or
WLAN/Wi-Fi direct type of direct communications between the
devices). In another example, the configuration information may
include the SSID of the ad hoc network to be used or the name of
the hotspot to be used in case of Wi-Fi direct. In another example,
the configuration information may include the network may inform
the devices whether to broadcast the SSID in the beacon or not, and
if the SSID is not broadcast then the WLAN WTRUs may need to use
the probing mechanism for discovery. In another example, the
configuration information may include whether the device may
broadcast ad hoc network beacon or not, (note that beacon
transmission is shared among multiple WTRUs in a WLAN ad hoc
network). In another example, the configuration information may
include security keys for the ad hoc network to each of the WTRUs
involved in WLAN ProSe connection.
[0099] The connection termination process for this method may be
performed as described hereinabove. Alternatively, in the case of
network initiated connection termination, the network may directly
inform the WTRUs to initiate the WLAN connection teardown
procedure.
[0100] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart 800 for a direct link connection
between at least two WLAN ProSe capable WTRUs. WLAN ProSe capable
WTRUs may be registered to a ProSe Server or another LTE network
node (805). The network may receive a request for a ProSe
connection (810) and may trigger discovery for WLAN ProSe (815).
The WTRU ProSe capable WTRU may then perform discovery (820). After
a successful discovery process, the network. transmits
configuration information to the WTRUs to establish a direct WLAN
ProSe connection with the other WLAN ProSe capable WTRU (825).
[0101] In general, FIG. 9 is a flowchart 900 of a method to enable
a WLAN ProSe connection. A trigger is activated to initiate the
establishment of a WLAN ProSe connection (905). A discovery process
is performed to determine whether there are at least two ProSe
capable WTRUs (910). The network transmits configuration
information to the WTRUs to establish a WLAN ProSe connection
(915).
[0102] Although features and elements are described above in
particular combinations, one of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that each feature or element can be used alone or in any
combination with the other features and elements. In addition, the
methods described herein may be implemented in a computer program,
software, or firmware incorporated in a computer-readable medium
for execution by a computer or processor. Examples of
computer-readable media include electronic signals (transmitted,
over wired or wireless connections) and computer-readable storage
media. Examples of computer-readable storage media include, but are
not limited to, a read only memory (ROM.), a random access memory
(RAM), a register, cache memory, semiconductor memory devices,
magnetic media such as internal hard disks and removable disks,
magneto-optical media, and optical media such as CD-ROM disks, and
digital versatile, disks (DVDs). A processor in association with
software may be used to implement a radio frequency transceiver for
use in a WTRU, U. terminal, base station, RNC, or any host
computer.
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