Aggregated handover in integrated small cell and WiFi networks
Mechanisms for efficient inter-system or inter-RAT handover for the case when large numbers of devices need to perform a handover within a short time interval or even simultaneously are described. These mechanisms can include an aggregated Handover Procedure. An Aggregated Handover procedure can be enabled by a UE and can be indicated to the network entities by “Aggregated Handover Indication”. The detection of target (H)eNB or WLAN can be triggered by user, GPS location, boarding time, or a travel or eTicket application etc. The UEs requesting Aggregated Handover within a time interval, i.e. Handover Window, can be processed with aggregated messages by the core network entities.
1. An apparatus comprising a processor and a memory, the apparatus further comprising computer-executable instructions stored in the memory of the apparatus which, when executed by the processor of the apparatus, cause the apparatus to:
receive a plurality of indications from a plurality of User Equipments (UEs) associated with a desired handover for the plurality of UEs between a first connection and a second connection, wherein the indications comprise handover window period values for the UEs; and
initiate an aggregated handover for more than one of the plurality of UEs within one or more handover window periods of the more than one of the plurality of UEs.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus uses the handover window specified by each UE to decide a priority of grouping the UEs for aggregated handover.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first connection corresponds to a non-cellular connection and the second connection corresponds to a cellular connection.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the first connection comprises a WiFi connection.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the apparatus comprises a Mobility Management Entity (MME) or a Network Function and the aggregate handover comprises a WiFi connection to cellular connection handover.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the aggregate handover is from the first connection to the second connection.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the aggregate handover comprises a seamless handover that uses an interface between a first access point and a second access point for the aggregate handover.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the aggregated handover comprises a plurality of messages that combine information for the more than one of the plurality of UEs.
9. A user equipment (UE) comprising a processor and a memory, the UE further comprising computer-executable instructions stored in the memory of the UE which, when executed by the processor of the UE, cause the UE to:
send an indication of a desired handover between a first connection and a second connection for the UE, wherein the indication comprises a handover window period value for the UE; and
undergo an aggregated handover along with another UE within a handover window period.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the first connection corresponds to a non-cellular connection and the second connection corresponds to a cellular connection.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the first connection comprises a WiFi connection.
12. The UE of claim 10 wherein the indication is sent to a Mobility Management Entity (MME) or a Network Function and the aggregated handover is from the first connection to the second connection.
13. The UE of claim 9 , wherein the aggregate handover comprises a seamless handover that uses an interface between a first access point and a second access point for the aggregate handover.
14. The UE of claim 9 , wherein the aggregated handover comprises a plurality of messages that combine information for the UE and the another UE.
15. An apparatus comprising a processor and a memory, the apparatus further comprising computer-executable instructions stored in the memory of the apparatus which, when executed by the processor of the apparatus, cause the apparatus to:
receive a plurality of indications from an access point that is connected to a plurality of User Equipments (UEs) requesting an aggregated handover for the plurality of UEs along with a handover window period, wherein the indications comprise handover window period values for the UEs; and
initiate an aggregated handover for the plurality of UEs within the handover window period.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the indications are received from the access point as a result of an upcoming shut down of the access point.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the first connection corresponds to a non-cellular connection and the second connection corresponds to a cellular connection.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the first connection comprises a WiFi connection.