Abstract: LTE-WLAN aggregation (LWA) at the radio access network level promises significant gain in system capacity and user quality of experience (QoE). In order to support QoS over LWA, there is a need to develop mechanisms to ensure that the access category (AC) classification chosen by a wireless device (AP in the case of downlink, and UE in case of uplink) is consistent with the QoS requirements of the EPS bearer/DRB and/or subscriber profile to which the traffic belongs. The cellular LTE network can provision QoS for both downlink and uplink data flows that are transferred using LWA access.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for finer control for WLAN association. In one novel aspect, an enhanced NCWIK capability negotiation, an UE assistance information exchange, and an enhanced steering command are performed. In one embodiment, the enhanced NCIWK capacity negotiation includes additional UE information for fine selection. In another embodiment, the UE assistance information is sent to the eNB in addition to the measurement report. The UE assistance information is configured by the eNB. In yet another embodiment, the enhanced traffic steering command includes information of a target AP and one or more target channels. In one embodiment, the enhanced traffic steering command further includes channel direction information. In another novel aspect, the UE selects different UL and DL channels based on the received enhanced traffic steering command. In one embodiment, the UL and DL channels for the UE are different channels from the same AP or from different RATS.

Abstract: LWA (LTE-WLAN Aggregation) is a tight integration at radio level which allows for real-time channel and load aware radio resource management across WLAN and LTE to provide significant capacity and quality of experience (QoE) improvements. When enabling LWA, packets are routed to a base station (eNB) for performing PDCP functionalities as an LTE PDU. Afterwards, the eNB can schedule the PDU either translated over LTE link or WLAN link. The eNB can acquire packet delay information regarding the WLAN link or obtain PDCP layer performance feedback from the UE. As a result, the eNB can adjust PDCP parameter setting and LWA scheduling accordingly.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for user-plane LWA PDU routing. In one novel aspect, LTE PDU packets are routed through a WLAN AP to a UE by encapsulation of the data packets. In one embodiment, a bridge/VLAN architecture is used. The UE identifies one or more Ethernet Frames received the WLAN interface as containing the PDCP PDUs by decoding the EtherType. In another embodiment, the WLAN terminated tunneling is used by decoding the EtherType of indicating the PDCP type. In another novel aspect, an UE-terminated tunneling is created. In one embodiment, the IP tunneling is used. In another embodiment, the GRE tunneling is used. The GRE header contains a KEY field to identify the packets as being the LWA packets. In yet another embodiment, the IPSec tunneling is used. The SPI of the header is used to identify the packets as being the LWA data packets.

Abstract: LTE-WLAN aggregation (LWA) at the radio access network level promises significant gain in system capacity and user quality of experience (QoE). In order to support QoS over LWA, there is a need to develop mechanisms to ensure that the access category (AC) classification chosen by a wireless device (AP in the case of downlink, and UE in case of uplink) is consistent with the QoS requirements of the EPS bearer/DRB and/or subscriber profile to which the traffic belongs. The cellular LTE network can provision QoS for both downlink and uplink data flows that are transferred using LWA access.

Abstract: An enhanced paging mechanism is provided for UEs waking up from a very long paging cycle to improve paging robustness and flexibility. Enhanced paging includes absolute time paging (ATP) and paging with extended wakeup time. For absolute time paging, a UE receives ATP configuration and uses the actual wall time to calculate paging occasion if a condition is satisfied. In one embodiment, the wall time is acquired from at least one of an internal UE clock, a GPS time, information broadcasted from the network, or information from a higher layer signaling. For paging with extended wakeup time, a UE applies a long paging cycle followed by multiple normal paging cycles after waking up from the long paging cycle. In one embodiment, the long paging cycle is infinite and the UE enters normal paging cycle only upon TAU-triggered paging or uplink traffic.

Abstract: Enhanced paging mechanisms are proposed for Machine Type Communication (MTC) devices in 3GPP networks. First, adaptive paging is proposed to adaptively allocate extra paging occasions for MTC devices with no extra procedure or power consumption on normal UEs. Second, group paging is proposed to simultaneously page a plurality of MTC devices with one paging. Group paging is controlled in different levels for optimized signaling and easier management. In one embodiment, group broadcasting and group release are used. Third, paging with response policy is proposed to pre-define or dynamically configure paging response policies for MTC devices.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to reorder PDCP SDUs. In one novel aspect, a timer-based PDCP reordering process is triggered upon detecting a PDCP gap existing condition, which indicates an SN gap between the PDCP SDUs of two parallel RLC entities larger than zero. The PDCP gap-closing condition is detected when the last-delivered SDU COUNT number plus one equals to the next-expected SDU COUNT number. In one embodiment, all the stored PDCP SDUs with consecutive COUNT numbers starting from the received SDU COUNT number are delivered upon detecting the PDCP gap-closing condition. In another novel aspect, a reordering timer is started upon detecting the PDCP gap condition. In one embodiment, the expiration of the reordering timer triggers the delivery of SDUs to upper layers. In one embodiment, the UE is configured with dual connectivity and the reordering SDU COUNT numbers and the reordering timers are associated with different connectivity configured.

Abstract: A method of supporting group communication over LTE MBMS is provided. A UE first establishes a unicast Evolved Packet Service (EPS) bearer in an LTE network for group communication. The UE belongs to a communication group having a communication group ID. The UE receives access information from the network for monitoring downlink (DL) multicast traffic of the DL group communication based on a multicast decision. The UE is then ready for monitoring a multicast Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) bearer for receiving the DL multicast traffic. The multicast MBMS bearer is associated with a Temporary Mobile Group Identifier (TMGI), and wherein the TMGI is associated with the communication group ID. The UE later enters RRC_IDLE mode and releases a radio bearer of the unicast EPS bearer while keep monitoring the multicast MBMS bearer for the DL multicast traffic.

Abstract: A method of managing multiple timing advance (TA) groups, maintaining multiple TA timers, and performing UL synchronization in a multi-carrier wireless system is provided. When a new component carrier (CC) is configured, it is assigned to a TA group having a TA group identifier. The TA groups are managed statically or dynamically. The TA group identifier is used to uniquely identify the TA group in the operations of uplink (UL) timing synchronization. Multiple TA timers are assigned to multiple TA groups. The TA timers may have different values for different TA group. Different embodiments of UL timing adjustments for multiple TA groups are provided.

Abstract: Various methods for wireless communication in a device with co-existed/co-located radios are provided. Multiple communication radio transceivers are co-existed/co-located in a user equipment (UE) having in-device coexistence (IDC) capability, which may result in IDC interference. For example, the UE is equipped with both LTE radio and some ISM band applications such as WiFi and Bluetooth modules. In a first method, the network identifies IDC capability by UE identification (e.g., UE ID). In a second method, the UE intentionally performs cell selection or reselection to cells in non-ISM frequency bands. In a third method, the UE signals the existence of ISM band applications via capability negotiation. In a fourth method, the UE signals the activation of ISM band applications by signaling messages (e.g., RRC message or MAC CE). Under the various methods, the UE and its serving eNB can apply FDM or TDM solutions to mitigate the IDC interference.

Abstract: A method of supporting group communication over LTE MBMS is provided. A UE first establishes a unicast Evolved Packet Service (EPS) bearer in an LTE network for group communication. The UE belongs to a communication group having a communication group ID. The UE receives access information from the network for monitoring downlink (DL) multicast traffic of the DL group communication based on a multicast decision. The UE is then ready for monitoring a multicast Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) bearer for receiving the DL multicast traffic. The multicast MBMS bearer is associated with a Temporary Mobile Group Identifier (TMGI), and wherein the TMGI is associated with the communication group ID. In one embodiment, the access information comprises mapping information between the TMGI and the communication group ID.

Abstract: A method of supporting group communication over LTE MBMS is provided. A UE first establishes a unicast Evolved Packet Service (EPS) bearer in an LTE network for group communication. The UE belongs to a communication group having a communication group ID. The UE receives access information from the network for monitoring downlink (DL) multicast traffic of the DL group communication based on a multicast decision. The UE is then ready for monitoring a multicast Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) bearer for receiving the DL multicast traffic. In one embodiment, The UE requests to switch the DL multicast traffic from the multicast MBMS bearer to the unicast EPS bearer upon detecting that the UE is approaching an MBMS coverage boundary. In another embodiment, the UE transmits an indication of preferred target cells to the network before performing a handover and thereby maintaining multicast service continuity of the group communication.

Abstract: A method for performing uplink traffic shaping of an electronic device and an associated apparatus are provided, where the method includes the steps of: monitoring at least one modulator-demodulator (modem) state of a radio modem of the electronic device; and according to the at least one modem state and according to at least one uplink traffic gating strategy, dynamically controlling whether to allow uplink traffic to pass through the radio modem, and more particularly, in a situation an alarm-aware uplink traffic gating strategy is involved, determining whether a time interval between a wake-up type alarm trigger and a last time point when uplink traffic is previously allowed because of another alarm trigger reaches a predetermined alarm-triggered gate open threshold; and controlling whether to allow uplink traffic to pass through the radio modem according to whether the time interval reaches the predetermined alarm-triggered gate open threshold.

Abstract: In a heterogeneous network, enhanced handover and reestablishment procedures are proposed within a local area network. The enhanced procedures are more efficient, e.g., with less signaling and less data interruption than the legacy mobility mechanism. In a local area network, a UE is served by an anchor eNB in macro cell layer and one or more drift eNBs in small cell layer. When the UE moves within the local area network, the UE anchor does not need to change. For cell change within the same anchor, the enhanced procedures reduces signaling overhead and data interruption time.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for selection and data aggregation for the LWA. In one novel aspect, the UE connected with a first RAN receives a LWA assistance configuration and selects a second RAN based on the LWA assistance configuration. The UE aggregates data traffic from the first RAN and the selected second RAN. In one embodiment, the information request-and-response procedure is used, which allows the first RAN to query the UE about its second RAN association status. In another embodiment, the selection request-and-response procedure is used, which allows the first RAN to exercise some control over which base station of the second RAN is selected by the UE and for the UE to send relevant information about its second RAN connectivity to the first RAN. In another novel aspect, the UE selects a DRB based on the LWA DRB configuration through either a NAS procedure or an operator configuration.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for LWA PDU routing. In one novel aspect, LTE PDU packets are routed through a WLAN AP to a UE by encapsulation of the data packets. An adaption layer encapsulate the whole packet as an Ethernet frame by appending the Ethernet MAC header to the payload. In other embodiments, the adaption layer encapsulates LTE PDU as GRE packet, configures VLAN for WLAN AP. In another novel aspect, the LTE PDU is identified by at least one of methods comprising the EtherType value, the source address, the GRE header, and the GTP header. In another embodiment, the default path is always used for LWA routing. In yet another novel aspect, the LTE PDU is forwarded by the MAC address, by the GRE tunnel configuration, or by the GTP tunnel configuration.

Abstract: A method of obtaining system frame number for handover is provided. A UE receives a handover command from a serving base station in a serving cell. The UE performs downlink synchronization with a target base station. Upon synchronization, the UE determines a radio frame boundary of a target cell. The UE then obtains a system frame number of the target cell based on the radio frame boundary. The UE performs a handover procedure with the target cell by transmitting a RACH preamble to the target base station. The RACH preamble is transmitted over a PRACH resource determined from the system frame number without reading SFN information from a PBCH/BCH broadcasted from the target base station. Finally, the UE establishes data connection with the target base station. Handover interruption time is reduced by obtaining SFN before PBCH reading and decoding.

Abstract: A method of cell reselection enhancement is proposed. A UE obtains parameters for extended cell reselection (ECR) in a mobile communication network. The UE goes to sleep and then wakes up periodically to monitor a paging channel. The UE either applies a normal paging cycle having a normal paging cycle length or applies a power-saving paging cycle having a very long paging cycle length. The UE performs cell selection if normal paging cycle is applied. The UE performs cell reselection based on the ECR parameters if the power-saving paging cycle is applied, and if the ECR parameters are still valid based on a list of conditions. In one novel aspect, the network provides the ECR parameters for a wider area for the UE such that the UE can still use cell reselection after waking up from a very long sleep to reduce power consumption.

Abstract: Enhanced paging mechanisms are proposed for Machine Type Communication (MTC) devices in 3GPP networks. First, adaptive paging is proposed to adaptively allocate extra paging occasions for MTC devices with no extra procedure or power consumption on normal UEs. Second, group paging is proposed to simultaneously page a plurality of MTC devices with one paging. Group paging is controlled in different levels for optimized signaling and easier management. In one embodiment, group broadcasting and group release are used. Third, paging with response policy is proposed to pre-define or dynamically configure paging response policies for MTC devices.