Systems and methods for data offload in wireless networks
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for radio resource control (RRC) signaling in wireless communication networks with data offload are provided. The radio configuration messages from a small cell to a dual connection UE may be sent by an overlay macro E-UTRAN node-B (eNB). The small cell may send the RRC messages to the macro-eNB first via a backhaul link, and the macro-eNB then transmits the messages to the UE. In some implementations, the radio configuration messages from a small cell to a dual connection UE may be sent directly from the small cell. In some other implementations, some of the RRC messages may be sent selectively to/from either the macro-cell or the small cell, or to/from both the macro-cell and the small cell. The type of RRC messages sent over the small cell and/or the macro-cell may be preconfigured or predetermined.
1. A method, comprising:
receiving, at a first base station and from a second base station, a radio resource control (RRC) message addressed to a user equipment (UE);
sending, from the first base station to the UE, the RRC message while the UE communicates concurrently with the first base station and the second base station, wherein the RRC message sent from the first base station to the UE includes a label that identifies the second base station.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
encrypting, by the first base station, the RRC message; and
sending the encrypted RRC message from the first base station to the UE.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the RRC message is sent from the first base station to the UE using a dedicated signal radio bearer (SRB) that identifies the second base station.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the first base station and the second base station performs a different subset of RRC functionalities for the UE.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first base station is a macro node, and the second base station is a low power node.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second base station receives user plane data from the UE.
7. A device, comprising:
a memory; and
at least one hardware processor communicatively coupled with the memory and configured to:
receive, at a first base station and from a second base station, a radio resource control (RRC) message addressed to a user equipment (UE);
send, from the first base station to the UE, the RRC message while the UE communicates concurrently with the first base station and the second base station, wherein the RRC message sent from the first base station to the UE includes a label that identifies the second base station.
8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the at least one hardware processor is configured to:
encrypt the RRC message; and
send the encrypted RRC message from the first base station to the UE.
9. The device of claim 7 , wherein the RRC message is sent from the first base station to the UE using a dedicated signal radio bearer (SRB) that identifies the second base station.
10. The device of claim 7 , wherein each of the first base station and the second base station performs a different subset of RRC functionalities for the UE.
11. The device of claim 7 , wherein the first base station is a macro node, and the second base station is a low power node.
12. The device of claim 7 , wherein the second base station receives user plane data from the UE.
13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed, cause a computing device to perform operations comprising:
receiving, at a first base station and from a second base station, a radio resource control (RRC) message addressed to a user equipment (UE); and
sending, from the first base station to the UE, the RRC message while the UE communicates concurrently with the first base station and the second base station, wherein the RRC message sent from the first base station to the UE includes a label that identifies the second base station.
14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13 , the operations further comprising:
encrypting, by the first base station, the RRC message; and
sending the encrypted RRC message from the first base station to the UE.
15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the RRC message is sent from the first base station to the UE using a dedicated signal radio bearer (SRB) that identifies the second base station.
16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13 , wherein each of the first base station and the second base station performs a different subset of RRC functionalities for the UE.
17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the first base station is a macro node, and the second base station is a low power node.