Mechanism to enable WiFi offload based on power preference of user equipment
In typical UEs, scanning for WiFi access points (APs) can consume a significant amount of power. This scanning occurs when the UE is connected through the cellular network, but does not occur when the UE is connected to a WiFi network. As a result, offloading a UE from a cellular network to a WiFi network can allow the UE to conserve power. An issue with existing cellular networks is that the UE cannot inform a cellular network that the UE is running low on power, and therefore cannot direct the cellular network to offload the UE for power conservation reasons. A technique discussed herein allows the UE to indicate its power saving needs to the cellular network. In response, the cellular network can lower (or raise) a particular threshold, so that the UE now exceeds (or no longer exceeds) the threshold, and initiates offloading.
1. A method executed by a user equipment (UE) for initiating offloading from a cellular network to a WiFi network, the cellular network connecting through an evolved NodeB (eNB), the WiFi network connecting through a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), the method comprising:
sending a Power Preference Indication (PPI) message to the eNB to indicate that the UE has a low power;
receiving from the eNB an offload instruction for triggering the UE to offload to a single WLAN specified in the offload instruction, wherein the offload instruction includes a command to offload and a basic service set identification (BSSID) of the single WLAN and wherein the UE has not established a previous connection with the single WLAN prior to receiving the offload instruction;
scanning for the single WLAN specified in the offload instruction and associated with the received BSSID and refraining from scanning for other WLANs; and
connecting to the single WLAN associated with the received BSSID by communicating an offload initiation instruction.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the offload instruction comprises sensing an adjustment in eNB policies.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the offload instruction comprises sensing an adjustment of a threshold value for Reference Signal Receive Power (RSRP).
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving an adjusted threshold for Reference Signal Receive Power (RSRP) from the eNB;
determining that the UE no longer exceeds the threshold; and
initiating offloading to the single WLAN.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving from the eNB a reduced number of WiFi access points (APs); and
scanning for the reduced number of WiFi APs.
6. A user equipment (UE), comprising:
circuitry configured to initiate offloading from a cellular network to a WiFi network, the cellular network connecting through an evolved NodeB (eNB), the WiFi network connecting through a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), the circuitry arranged to:
send a Power Preference Indication (PPI) message to the eNB to indicate that the UE has a low power;
receive from the eNB an offload instruction for triggering the UE to offload to a single WLAN specified in the offload instruction, wherein the offload instruction includes a command to offload and a basic service set identification (BSSID) of the single WLAN and wherein the UE has not established a previous connection with the single WLAN prior to receiving the offload instruction;
scan for the single WLAN specified in the offload instruction and associated with the received BSSID and refrain from scanning for other WLANs; and
connect to the single WLAN.
7. The UE of claim 6 , wherein receiving the offload instruction comprises sensing an adjustment in eNB policies.
8. The UE of claim 6 , wherein receiving the offload instruction comprises sensing an adjustment of a threshold value for Reference Signal Receive Power (RSRP).
9. The UE of claim 6 , wherein the circuitry is further arranged to:
receive an adjusted threshold for Reference Signal Receive Power (RSRP) from the eNB;
determine that the UE no longer exceeds the threshold; and
initiate offloading to the single WLAN.
10. The UE of claim 6 , wherein the circuitry is further arranged to:
receive from the eNB a reduced number of WiFi access points (APs); and
scan for the reduced number of WiFi APs.
11. A method executed by an evolved NodeB (eNB) for initiating offloading of a user equipment (UE) from a cellular network to a WiFi network, the cellular network connecting through the evolved NodeB (eNB), the WiFi network connecting through a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), the method comprising:
receiving a Power Preference Indication (PPI) message from the UE to indicate that the UE has a low power;
based on the PPI message, transmitting to the UE an offload instruction for triggering the UE to initiate connection with and offload to a single WLAN specified in the offload instruction, wherein the offload instruction includes a command to offload and a basic service set identification (BSSID) of the single WLAN, and wherein the UE has not established a previous connection with the single WLAN prior to receiving the offload instruction; and
initiating connection of the UE to the single WLAN.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein transmitting the offload instruction comprises adjusting at least one eNB policy.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein transmitting the offload instruction comprises adjusting a threshold value for Reference Signal Receive Power (RSRP).
14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
transmitting an adjusted threshold for Reference Signal Receive Power (RSRP) to the UE.
15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
transmitting to the UE a reduced number of WiFi access points (APs).
16. An evolved NodeB (eNB), comprising:
circuitry configured to initiate offloading of a user equipment (UE) from a cellular network to a WiFi network, the cellular network connecting through the evolved NodeB (eNB), the WiFi network connecting through a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), the circuitry arranged to:
receive a Power Preference Indication (PPI) message from the UE to indicate that the UE has a low power; and
based on the PPI message, transmit to the UE an offload instruction for triggering the UE to initiate connection with and offload to a single WLAN specified in the offload instruction, wherein the offload instruction includes a command to offload and a basic service set identification (BSSID) of the single WLAN and wherein the UE has not established a previous connection with the single WLAN prior to receiving the offload instruction; and
initiate connection of the UE to the single WLAN.
17. The eNB of claim 16 , wherein transmitting the offload instruction comprises adjusting at least one eNB policy.
18. The eNB of claim 16 , wherein transmitting the offload instruction comprises adjusting a threshold value for Reference Signal Receive Power (RSRP).
19. The eNB of claim 16 , wherein the circuitry is further arranged to:
transmit an adjusted threshold for Reference Signal Receive Power (RSRP) to the UE.
20. The eNB of claim 16 , wherein the circuitry is further arranged to:
transmit to the UE a reduced number of Win access points (APs).