FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to wireless communications systems and related networks, and more particularly to mechanisms supporting seamless automatic migration of user equipment (UE) between radio access networks (RANs).

BACKGROUND

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art, which may be related to various aspects of the present invention that are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

Operators of mobile systems, such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems (UMTSs), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and 5th Generation New Radio (5G-NR) described and being developed by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), are increasingly relying on wireless macrocell radio access networks (RANs) such as traditional cellular base stations, eNodeBs and the like, along with wireless small cell or microcell RANs in order to deploy, for example, indoor voice and data services to enterprises and other customers. For both macrocell RANs and small/micro cell RANs, increasing demands for wireless throughput make access to additional wireless spectrum desirable. An example of additional spectrum which is becoming available is that of the citizens broadband radio service (CBRS), a 150 MZ band between 3.55 GHz and 3.70 GHz. Access is currently granted to Citizens Broadband Radio Service Devices (CBSDs) operating according to a Generic Authorized Access (GAA) from 3.55 GHz to 3.65 GHz, with full access to 3.70 GHz expected in the future.

Converged networks contemplate that user equipment (UE) utilizing network services (e.g., voice, streaming media, data upload/download etc.) may access any available/compatible network, such as a WiFi network (e.g., 802.11xx networks) or UMTS network.

Within the context of WiFi networks, a network allocation vector (NAV) is used by UE such as mobile phones to signal a waiting time before accessing the network (also as a virtual carrier sensing mechanism). Specifically, a connected UE signals a NAV that is selected according to (1) the expected UE data transmission time, and (2) the expected NACK/ACK time for the data transmitted. That is, the NAV set by the connected UE is generally equal to the time for data transmission and related acknowledgment of the UE currently transmitting/receiving data. Other UE will wait in an idle state for the duration of the NAV countdown before trying to access to the network. These idle times/moments become problematic with increasing number of WiFi-enabled UE and interference in WiFi bands.

SUMMARY

Various deficiencies in the prior art are addressed by systems, apparatus, and methods for managing user equipment (UE) communications in a converged network by inserting mobile network UE information into WiFi network communications such that a WiFi control entity may cause migration of the UE from the WiFi network to the mobile network in response to determining that a QoS level is deteriorating.

A method according to one embodiment comprises receiving, at a wireless access point (WAP) communicating with UE previously attached to a mobile network, respective UE network allocation vector (NAV) information and respective UE WiFi frames including WiFi frames having a Connection Information (CI) field having stored therein a corresponding UE identifier; and forwarding, toward a WiFi controller configured to manage the WAP and the UE connected to the WAP, one or more messages including the identifier of UE exhibiting NAV values above a threshold amount, said one or more messages configured to cause the WiFi controller to initiate a migration of UE exhibiting NAV values above the threshold amount to the mobile network.

Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

