HK1242890A1 - Systems and methods for wlan network selection - Google Patents

Abstract

The disclosure relates to systems and methods for WLAN network selection. Methods, systems, and devices for network selection are disclosed herein. User equipment (UE) includes a communication component, a rules component, and a network selection component. The communication component may be configured to communicate over a 3GPP network and a non-cellular network. The rules component may be configured to store an access network discovery and selection function (ANDSF) management object (MO) that includes wireless local area network (WLAN) selection policies for network selection on the UE. The WLAN selection policies may include interworking WLAN (I-WLAN) policies and Hotspot 2.0 (HS2.0) parameters. The network selection component is configured to select an available WLAN based on the ANDSF MO.

Description

System and method for WLAN network selection

Description of divisional applications

The application is a divisional application of Chinese invention patent application No.201380070574.X, which has an application date of 2013, 9, 27 and is named as a system and a method for WLAN network selection.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No.61/768,330 filed on 2013, 2/22 according to clause 35, clause 119 (e), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) network selection.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication system consistent with embodiments disclosed herein.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a User Equipment (UE) and A Network Detection and Selection Function (ANDSF) server for network selection consistent with embodiments disclosed herein.

Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an ANDSF Management Object (MO) consistent with embodiments disclosed herein.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for network selection consistent with embodiments disclosed herein.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating another method for network selection consistent with embodiments disclosed herein.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating another method for network selection consistent with embodiments disclosed herein.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for synchronizing network selection rules consistent with embodiments disclosed herein.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a mobile device consistent with embodiments disclosed herein.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

The detailed description of the systems and methods is consistent with the embodiments of the present disclosure provided below. While several embodiments have been described, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to any one embodiment, but rather encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications, and equivalents. In addition, while numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, some embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these details. Moreover, for the purpose of clarity, certain technical material that is known in the related art has not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present disclosure.

Wireless mobile communication technology uses various standards and protocols to transfer data between base stations and wireless mobile devices. Wireless communication system standards and protocols may include third generation partnership project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE); the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)802.16 standard, which is commonly known to the industry as WiMAX (worldwide interoperability for microwave access); and the IEEE 802.11 standard, which is Wi-Fi, a commonly known by the industry community. In a 3GPP Radio Access Network (RAN) in an LTE system, a base station may include an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) Node B (Node B) (also commonly denoted as evolved Node B, enhanced Node B, eNodeB, or eNB) in communication with a wireless communication device, referred to as User Equipment (UE), and/or a Radio Network Controller (RNC) in the E-UTRAN.

Common goals of cellular wireless networks (e.g., 3GPP networks) include efficient use of licensed bandwidth and increased coverage and throughput. One way to improve performance with respect to these goals is by offloading communication flows of the UE or other wireless mobile device to other available networks. For example, traffic may be offloaded to a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) or other networks (e.g., Wi-Fi networks, WiMAX networks, etc.). These other networks may provide coverage (e.g., coverage gaps or indoors) for areas where 3GPP networks, or other cellular networks, are unavailable. In addition, because some traffic is offloaded to another network, bandwidth on 3GPP can be used for free to other devices, and load on 3GPP can be reduced. In one embodiment, the other network can provide a greater data rate than the 3GPP network and may therefore result in greater throughput and/or better quality of service for the UE.

Offloading to Wi-Fi and/or Wi-MAX networks can significantly improve data rates and quality of service in 3GPP networks, in part because networks belonging to other entities can be used. For example, Wi-Fi networks maintained or owned by hotels, stores, or other venues may be used to route 3GPP traffic. This may provide the necessary coverage for areas where 3GPP coverage may not be available. For example, interior spaces within buildings often have poor 3GPP reception. In some cases, providers of Wi-Fi or Wi-MAX networks may enter authorization through a carrier, individual, or other entity to provide 3GPP communication services (or other cellular services) to take in place of the form of revenue.

To route traffic through the alternative network, the UE must route traffic through the selected one or more available networks. However, WLAN network selection in a dual mode 3GPP compliant device can lead to a contradiction in the rule set. In particular, WLAN network selection may be based on information provided in an interworking WLAN (I-WLAN) Management Object (MO) specified in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS)24.235 version 11.1.0(2012-11-16), information provided in an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) MO specified in 3GPP TS24.312 version 11.4.0(2012.10.08), and/or information in a subscription MO defined by the Wi-Fi alliance (WFA) hotspot 2.0(HS2.0) Release 2 specification, all of which are available to the public. For example, both the I-WLAN MO and the ANDSF MO may include an operator control list of preferred networks, a user preference list, and a local public land mobile network (HPLMN) control list. The preferred network may include a Service Set Identifier (SSID) of a preferred Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) or a preferred access network. Since some information for WLAN network selection overlaps between different MOs, contradictions and/or confusion can lead to problems how to consistently select WLAN access networks.

Additional problems include complexity with respect to the procedures applied in the WLAN network selection process. For example, the I-WLAN procedure may be applied to initial network selection after the I-WLAN UE is turned on and recovers from lack of WLAN radio coverage. However, it is not clear whether these procedures can be applied in other situations that trigger WLAN network selection. The lack of a consistent set of procedures that can be applied to WLAN network selection under different triggering conditions can lead to unnecessary complexity.

Other problems include the failure of the I-WLAN program to take into account the rich ANDSF set and HS2.0 policies for intelligent WLAN network selection. Furthermore, if the policy governing the activities of WLAN network selection is changed, the I-WLAN procedure is not intended to reconsider a new WLAN access network and additional trigger points for I-WLAN network selection need to be defined.

The present application discloses a single MO including merged WLAN network selection information within the single MO (e.g., within an ANDSF MO). For example, the ANDSF MO may be enhanced to include all information for network selection (enveloping WLAN network selection) to eliminate overlapping and potentially conflicting information. The incorporation of this information may simplify network selection for the UE, the network, and/or the user of the UE. In one embodiment, the ANDSF MO is enhanced to include policy parameters specified in the HS2.0 specification, such as time information, location, access network type, load network, etc. for intelligent WLAN network selection.

The application also discloses a network selection procedure based on the ANDSF MO including the merged information. In one embodiment, the network selection procedure is independent of the I-WLAN procedure, as described in 3GPP TS 23.234 and 3GPP TS 24.234. For example, the described I-WLAN procedure may not be used. Network selection independent of the I-WLAN MO and/or the program may make the operator not want to deploy I-WLAN and provide I-WLAN configuration information to the UE to still provide information to the UE to perform selection of the appropriate PLMN or service provider. In one embodiment, the solution designed for WLAN network selection may work independent of the mechanism used to obtain connectivity to the 3GPP core network (e.g., S2a, S2b, and/or S2c interfaces).

In one embodiment, the UE includes a communication component, a rules component, and a network selection component. The communication component may be configured to communicate over a 3GPP network and a non-cellular network. The rules component may be configured to store an ANDSF MO including a WLAN selection policy for network selection on the UE. The WLAN selection policy may include an I-WLAN policy and an Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) parameter. The network selection component is configured to select an available WLAN based on the ANDSF MO.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 100 that provides wireless communication services to a UE102 or other mobile wireless device. The system 100 includes a plurality of RANs 104, 112 through which UEs 102 may access IP services 114 or other data services (e.g., audio services or the internet). Specifically, system 100 includes a global system for mobile communications (GSM) enhanced data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGM) ran (geran)104, UTRAN 106, and E-UTRAN 108, which provide access to communication services through a core network 116.

The system 100 also includes trusted and untrusted Wi-Fi RAN110 and WiMAX RAN 112, the Wi-Fi RAN110 and WiMAX RAN 112 being connected to a core network 116 via a Wireless Access Gateway (WAG)118, a Trusted WAG (TWAG)120, and an access serving network gateway (ASN-GW), respectively. Wi-Fi RAN110 can include WLANs that implement 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, and/or any other 802.11 Radio Access Technology (RAT). The WiMAX RAN 112 may implement any version of the 802.16RAT (e.g., 802.16e or other 802.16 versions). Each of the RANs 104 and 112 includes one or more base stations or other infrastructure that wirelessly communicate with the UE102 and provide access to communication services. For example, E-UTRAN 108 includes one or more eNBs configured to communicate wirelessly with UE 102.

The core network 116 includes a Serving Gateway (SGW)124, a Packet Data Network (PDN) gateway (PGW)126, an ANDSF server 128, and a hardened packet data gateway ePDG 130. The PGW 126 connects to the WAG 118 via the ePDG 130 using an S2b interface (for the case of untrusted access) and connects to the TWAG 120 and ASN-GW 122 using an S2a interface (for the case of trusted access). In one embodiment, the core network 116 may include an Evolved Packet Core (EPC). Those skilled in the art will recognize that many other components and functions may be included or implemented in the core network 116.

The ANDSF server 128 is configured to assist the UE102 in discovering and connecting to non-3 GPP access networks (e.g., the Wi-fi RAN110 and/or the WiMAX RAN 112). ANDSF server 128 stores an ANDSF MO that includes policies for selecting a 3GPP or alternative access network (e.g., a WLAN access network). Policies within the ANDSF MO may indicate appropriate occasions when to connect to an alternative network and/or when traffic offloading should be performed. In one embodiment, a cell of a cellular network (e.g., a cell of one of the 3GPP RANs 104, 106, 108) may have a corresponding list of Wi-Fi hotspots or WiMAX base stations in the same region. The UE102 may use the list to connect to and/or route traffic through one of the available Wi-Fi hotspots or WiMAX base stations.

Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating example components of UE 102. As depicted, UE102 includes a communication component 202, a rules component 204, a discovery component 206, and a network selection component 208. The components 202 and 208 are given by way of example only. In some embodiments, additional components or fewer components may be included. Indeed, some embodiments may include one or any combination of two or more of the illustrated components 202, 204, 206, 208.

The communication component 202 can be configured to wirelessly communicate with other devices. In one embodiment, the communication component 202 may be configured to communicate between the UE102 and one or more base stations. For example, communications component 202 can include a transceiver and/or antenna to transmit and receive wireless signals to an eNB or other base station. In one embodiment, the communication component 202 allows the UE102 to operate as a dual mode device. For example, communications component 202 may include two or more radios configured for selective or synchronous communications using two or more different communication standards. In one embodiment, the communication component 202 may be configured to communicate over a cellular network and/or a non-cellular network (e.g., a WLAN). Example network technologies include 3GPP, WiMAX, and Wi-Fi. According to one embodiment, the communication component 202 is configured to communicate on behalf of the other components 204 and 208. For example, the communication component 202 can connect to or transmit data over a network selected by the network selection component 208.

The rules component 204 is configured to store a rule or set of rules for network selection. For example, the rules may include a network selection policy (e.g., a WLAN network selection policy). In one embodiment, the rules component 204 stores MOs that include policies and parameters that control network selection. In one embodiment, the MOs includes an ANDSF MO or any other MO including network selection policies or other rules or parameters for network selection.

In one embodiment, the rules component 204 stores a MO that includes the merged network selection rule. For example, an MO may include all information needed for WLAN network selection without reference to policies or parameters of another MO. In one embodiment, the ANDSF MO may be enhanced to include parameters and policies located or replicated in other MOs. As an example, for the case where the access technology is WLAN or a new sub-tree of the ANDSF MO (e.g. referred to as WLAN selection policy (WLANSP)), policy elements can be added to the sub-tree of the inter-system routing policy (ISRP) and the inter-system mobility policy (ISMP) as extensions to the priority access description. A list of operator preferred WLAN service providers (e.g., PLMN and workstation identifiers (WSIDs)) may be added according to a particular branch of access technology.

In one embodiment, the ANDSF MO is enhanced to include a WLANSP node according to which network selection policies and parameters may be consolidated. For example, a WLANSP node may form the root of a WLANSP sub-tree in the MO, separate from the ISMP and ISRP. Similarly, another MO may be enhanced to include a merged network selection policy, or a new WLANSP MO may be created that includes the merged policy and parameters. By incorporating the WLAN network selection policy elements and related information in a single MO, overlapping and potentially conflicting information can be resolved.

In one embodiment, the MO includes a WLAN selection policy based on parameters of the hs2.0release 2 specification. In one embodiment, the HS2.0 specification includes or refers to WLAN network selection policies or parameters defined in the subscription MO. In one embodiment, the 3GPP may define an additional WLAN network selection policy for the dual mode device based on the ANQP parameters or additional information included in the HS2.0 specification. For example, the selection policy may be based on parameters found from the HS2.0 access network. ANQP may include policies and procedures used by the UE to discover information about the Wi-Fi hotspot, such as information about the operating rules of the hotspot, roaming partners, load, and so on. In one embodiment, the ANDSF MO defined in TS24.312 is enhanced to incorporate these additional policies based on the HS2.0 specification. For example, the WLAN network selection policy may be based on HS2.0 parameters (e.g., location parameters, access network type parameters, backhaul load parameters, or any other policy parameters or parameters in the HS2.0 specification).

In one embodiment, the MO with the merged network selection policy includes all of the I-WLAN policy parameters. The I-WLAN MO defined in 3GPP TS 24.235 specifies a policy for WLAN network selection. For example, the I-WLAN MO may define a network ID (e.g., SSID) of the local operator. Additionally, the I-WLAN MO may include an operator that controls a roaming partner priority list, which may include realm, OUI, SSID, or other identifiers. In one embodiment, a single MO (e.g., ANDSF MO) may be enhanced to include these parameters from the I-WLAN MO.

In one embodiment, the MO includes a preference for a particular service provider. The preference for a particular service provider may indicate a particular network or may indicate an organization or other entity operating the network. For example, the MO may include a list of preferred access networks based on SSIDs. Additionally or alternatively, the MO may include a Network Access Identifier (NAI) -based realm, an Organizationally Unique Identifier (OUI), and/or a list of preferred access networks that identify roaming affiliations or service providers. For example, the list of preferred access networks may include any type of identifier that identifies a network associated with an operator, service provider, or other organization or group. In one embodiment, the inclusion of the realm and/or OUI may allow the preferred network to be selected based on these identifiers without a specific SSID of the preferred network. For example, each WLAN may have its own specific and/or unique identifier, although the realm, OUI, or other identifier may be common to multiple networks. Thus, a network may be defined as a preferred network based solely on the network group to which the preferred network belongs or through which a service provider may provide access.

In one embodiment, the preferences of a particular service provider may be indicated in one or more lists. In one embodiment, the operator control list may be provided within the MO by the ANDSF server 128 or other network infrastructure component of the preferred network specifying the operator (e.g., the operator of the 3GPP network in which the UE102 is activated). In one embodiment, the list may include a user control list of the user's preferred networks. The user-preferred networks may include the networks to which the user allows the UE102 to connect, as well as the service providers (which may be defined based on the corresponding OUI or realm) to which the user subscribes. In one embodiment, the list may include a HPLMN control list indicating preferences of the HPLMN that the UE102 is activated. The user control list, operator control list, and/or HPLMN control list may include preferred WLAN service providers (e.g., PLMNs) or WSIDs.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an ANDSF MO300 including merged WLAN network selection policies and parameters. In one embodiment, ANDSF MO300 includes preferences in XML format. For example, policies and preferences may be organized in branch and leaf structures. In one embodiment, each branch or leaf node may include a value indicating a preference or policy for network selection. ANDSF MO300 includes WLANSP? Node 302, Preferred Service Provider List (PSPL)? Node 304, and PreferVplmnWlans? And a node 306. For purposes of clarity of illustration and discussion, only a portion of ANDSF MO300 is depicted. Although fig. 3 shows WLAN selection policies and parameters in ANDSF MO300, any of the teachings discussed herein may be applied to other MOs, rule sets, or newly created MOs.

WLANSP? Node 302 may form a root node of the WLANSP sub-tree of ANDSF MO 302. For example, 3GPP defined policies for WLAN network selection may be organized within the WLANSP sub-tree in the ANDSF MO separately from ISMP and ISRP. In one embodiment, the ISMP node, ISRP node, and internal child nodes remain unchanged, but may include a priority list of 3GPP and WLAN access networks. In another embodiment, the policy may be distributed in the subtrees of ISRP and ISMP as an extension of the priority access description for the case where the access network is WLAN. In one embodiment, selection of an activity rule requires interaction between WLANSP, ISMP, and ISRP nodes and subtrees.

WLANSP? The sub-tree may include a rule set that includes one or more WLANSP rules. In one embodiment, each WLANSP rule may specify a value of priority, a set of valid conditions, and/or a list of preferred WLAN attributes. For example, WLANSP? Node 302 includes child nodes 308, 310, 312, and 314, which may include leaf nodes or branch nodes that specify values for conditions, priorities, and/or preferred WLAN attributes of the rules. The effective area? Node 308 and time information? Node 310 may indicate valid conditions for when rules should be applied. For example, an effective area? The node 308 or child node may define a geographic area within which the rule is valid, and time information? The node 310 or child node may define time information during which the rule is valid. The priority node 312 may indicate the priority of the rule. For example, priority node 312 may include a value indicating the relative priority of a rule compared to other rules. For example, a rule with a higher priority (if valid) may be applied when a rule with a lower priority is not applied.

The preferred Wlan node 314 may include a list of preferred Wlan attributes for the rule. For example, the pre-selected Wlan node 314 may include a plurality of sub-nodes indicating one or more support realms, Basic Service Set (BSS) loads, one or more SSIDs, one or more OUIs, and so on. In one embodiment, the use of realm, OUI, roaming-affiliate OI, etc., allows for reduced maintenance of a list of preferred WLANs. For example, a preferred WLAN policy may be based on Realm and/or OUI to indicate, for example, "WLAN working with Realm partner x.com (real partner x.com) has highest access priority". Alternatively, the UE102 may use the realm and/or OUI (instead of using the SSID) to identify and prioritize the discovered WLAN access networks. In one embodiment, the realm, OUI, or other identifier is supported by the HS2.0 applicable WLAN access network.

In one embodiment, WLANSP rules or other parameters in the WLANSP sub-tree may include parameters or policies from the HS2.0 specification (e.g., policies from the subscription MO). In one embodiment, the WLANSP sub-tree or rules within the sub-tree may be based on one or more of a preferred roaming partner list parameter, a minimum backhaul threshold parameter, a minimum backhaul available bandwidth threshold parameter, a maximum BSS load parameter, a BSS load threshold parameter, an SP exclusion list parameter, a required prototype port tuple parameter, or any other HS2.0 parameter or node. To handle the information about the location, WLAN access network type, location information, and connection performance related policies may be included in the ANDSF MO. The connectivity capabilities of the WLAN network may be known to the neighboring UE 102. In one embodiment, the UE102 may query the WLAN access network to obtain values for one or more of the above parameters corresponding to the WLAN access network. The WLANSP sub-tree may also include 3GPP specific sub-nodes specifying WLAN selection requirements.

PSPL? The node includes a child node and/or information that includes a list of service providers preferred by the local operator. These service providers may support authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) working with the HPLMN and may be used to authenticate UEs using the extended authentication protocol method of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) authentication and key agreement (EPA-AKA). The UE102 uses the PSPL node 304 and/or child nodes to identify whether the 3GPP service provider is an equivalent HPLMN or 3GPP roaming partner. The PSPL node 304 and/or the sub-nodes also include a policy whether the UE is also preferably 3GPP registered plmn (rplmn) for WLAN access.

The PreferVplmnWlans node 306 and/or child nodes may include a list of PLMNs. In one embodiment, when the UE102 is roaming to one of the PLMNs, the UE102 is configured to prefer WLAN access network policies provided by the visited PLMN (vplmn) over WLANs provided by the HPLMN. When the UE102 is roaming to any other PLMN, the UE102 may be configured to prefer the WLAN access network policy provided by the HPLMN.

Returning to fig. 2, the discovery component 206 is configured to discover a set of available WLAN access networks. In one embodiment, discovery component 206 discovers the access network using a radio or antenna of communication component 202. In one embodiment, discovery component 206 discovers the WLAN access networks based on the SSID, realm, OUI, or other identifier within the MO or rule set stored by rule component 204. In one embodiment, discovery component 206 discovers that the WLAN access network is within range of UE102 and satisfies one or more constraints of the ANDSF MO. For example, discovery component 206 may search for SSIDs, realms, OUIs, or other identifiers based on the current geographic location of UE102, time information, or any other parameter specified by ANDSF MO 300.

The discovery component 206 may discover parameters, performance, etc. of the WLAN network based on the HS2.0 specification. For example, discovery component 206 may discover roaming relationships, loading on a particular WLAN access network, and so forth. Any parameter of HS2.0 can be discovered by the discovery component 206. In one embodiment, discovery component 206 may query the WLAN access network using ANQP to discover parameters listed within ANDSF MO 300. For example, based on information in the IEEE 802.11 beacon and using ANQP procedures, discovery component 206 discovers a roaming affiliation list and/or a NAI realm list that identifies a service provider whose services may be accessed using a WLAN access network, and authentication information for the service provider may be used for authentication. In one embodiment, the discovery component 206 compiles a list of available WLAN access networks and/or associated parameters and information for evaluation during network and/or service provider selection.

The network selection component 208 is configured to select an available WLAN access network based on a WLAN selection policy. For example, network selection component 208 may select a WLAN network based on one or more of rules and policies within an ANDSF MO (e.g., ANDSF MO300 of fig. 3). In one embodiment, WLAN network selection is driven by the HPLMN. For example, in a roaming scenario, the local ANDSF policy may be preferred over the visited ANDSF policy. In one embodiment, the preference for HPLMN or VPLMN may be determined based on a reference to PreferVplmnWlans node 306 of ANDSF MO 300. For example, the preference for the HPLMN or VPLMN may be indicated by the operator, the user, or the HPLMN.

In one embodiment, the network selection component 208 determines one or more currently valid rules or policies. For example, network selection component 206 of UE102 may evaluate a condition (e.g., a location or time condition) to determine what is being done at WLANSP? Whether a rule in a branch of node 302 or any other location within the MO is valid. In one embodiment, network selection component 206 determines that WLANSP rules are valid and selects one or more of these valid rules for application. For example, the rule with the highest priority (which may be indicated by priority node 312) may be applied to a list of WLAN access networks discovered by discovery component 204.

In one embodiment, network selection component 208 may prioritize the list of available WLAN access networks based on active WLANSP rules. For example, WLAN access networks that better match the WLANSP rules or meet more requirements of active WLANSP rules may be listed, with a higher priority than WLAN access networks that do not meet the requirements. In one embodiment, the network selection component 208 may prioritize the list of available WLAN access networks based on the HS2.0 parameter. For example, the network selection component may prioritize WLANs based on location, network load, available backhaul bandwidth, and a list of preferred SSIDs, OUIs, realms, and the like.

The network selection component 208 may prioritize the list based on the service providers that are available on each available access network. In one embodiment, the network selection component 208 may prioritize the list using HS2.0 or other parameters and then compare the list of available WLANs to the preferred WLANs based on WLANSP rules and select the WLAN with the highest priority. For example, the network selection component 208 compares the list of preferred networks to the list of available networks. In one embodiment, a user control list, operator control list, HPLMN control list, or other list of preferred service providers may be used to prefer the considered network. The service provider policy may be located within an MO (e.g., ANDSF MO) and/or a Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) (e.g., USIM card). In one embodiment, if there are multiple WLANs with the same highest priority, the network selection component 208 selects a WLAN that works with the most preferred service provider in the PSPL sub-tree (under PSPL.

The network selection component 208 may select the most preferred WLAN access network. For example, network selection component 208 may select the access network with the highest priority from a priority list of networks. In one embodiment, the network is selected based on network attributes, rather than based on service providers available through the network. For example, the network selection component 208 may select a WLAN access network based on HS2.0 parameters, a list of preferred networks, etc., and then select a service provider corresponding to the selected WLAN access network from the available service providers. In one embodiment, the network selection component 208 may take into account the HS2.0 parameters and service providers in determining the prioritization of the networks and then select the highest priority network. Network selection component 208 can initiate authorization with a service provider corresponding to the selected network, and communication component 202 can route traffic flows through the selected network using the selected service provider.

In one embodiment, network selecting component 208 may select a WLAN network based on the ISRP and/or the ISMP within the ANDSF MO. For example, network selection component 208 may prioritize a list of available access networks using the WLANSP sub-tree of the ANDSF MO and then apply ISRP and/or ISMP to complete network selection. In one embodiment, the ISRP and/or ISMP regions applied after initial network selection are used to determine the traffic routed through the selected network.

In one embodiment, the network selection component 208 is configured to select a WLAN access network in an initial network selection process. For example, network selecting component 208 may use a 3GPP communication standard and need not wait until a PLMN is selected in order to select a WLAN. In one embodiment, the WLAN may be used to communicate traffic streams (e.g., audio traffic streams or control traffic) that are typically directed through a 3GPP network when the 3GPP network is unavailable. In one embodiment, network selection component 208 may use ANDSF MO to select an access network in an initial network selection process. According to one embodiment, the network selection procedure performed by the network selection component 208 utilizes the WLAN MO settings prior to WLAN network selection or during WLAN network selection. This may allow preferences specified in the ANDSF rules to initially select or reselect a network and/or trigger the UE to initially select or reselect another WLAN access network (e.g., a network in a different PLMN).

ANDSF server 128 is configured to store and provide network selection and/or routing rules to UE 102. In one embodiment, the ANDSF server 128 is configured to synchronize the ANDSF MO with the UE102 at activation or in a dynamic manner. In one embodiment, ANDSF server 128 stores an ANDSF MO (e.g., ANDSF MO300 of fig. 3) that indicates network selection rules for UE 102. In one embodiment, the ANDSF server 128 may store multiple ANDSF MOs of different UEs 102 and/or different types for the UE 102. The ANDSF MO may include WLAN selection policies or other rules or policies for controlling network selection. The ANDSF MO may be compliant with Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Device Management (DM).

In one embodiment, the ANDSF server 128 is configured to establish communication with the UE 102. For example, the ANDSF server 128 may receive a request from the UE102 to connect to the UE102 and update the MO of the UE 102. In one embodiment, the UE102 may update the MO in response to the ANDSF server 128 indicating that the MO has changed.

ANDSF server 128 may synchronize at least a portion of the ANDSF MO with UE 102. For example, ANDSF server 128 may synchronize at least a portion of an MO including a WLANSP branch of the MO. In one embodiment, ANDSF server 128 may only provide portions of an ANDSF MO that are different from the ANDSF MO stored by UE 102. In one embodiment, the ANDSF MO comprises a network selection rule comprising an identifier indicating a service provider preference. For example, the service provider preferences may include identifiers of SSIDs, NAI realms, roaming affiliations, or any other service providers.

Example WLAN selection based on WLANSP rules within ANDSF MO

The following is an example implementation of network selection policies and parameters according to one embodiment. Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are numerous variations and embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure, and that they are not limited to this example.

This example discloses an ANDSF MO comprising a set of rules and describes how the UE selects the most preferred WLAN access network based on the rules. The ANDSF MO comprises some nodes and/or information including rules and selection policies. The PSPL node is included in the ANDSF MO, which includes a list of service providers preferred by the local operator. These service providers support AAA interworking with HPLMN and can be used to authenticate UEs through EPA-AKA. In one embodiment, the node is only comprised by the local ANDSF. The PreferVplmnWlans node is included in ANDSFMO, which ANDSF MO may include a list of PLMNs. When the UE102 is roaming to one of these PLMNs, the UE is configured to prefer WLAN access network policies provided by the VPLMN over WLANs provided by the HPLMN. When the UE is roaming to any other PLMN, the UE is configured to prefer the WLAN access network policy provided by the HPLMN. The WLANSP node is included in the ANDSFMO. The node includes one or more WLANSP rules, each specifying a value for a priority, a set of valid conditions, and a list of preferred WLAN attributes (e.g., supported realms, BSS load, SSID, OUI, etc.). The UE determines valid WLANSP rules and selects one of these valid rules to apply. The applied WLANSP rules are used by the UE to select the most preferred WLAN access network.

The policy node (ISMP) in the ANDSF MO remains unchanged and includes A priority list of 3GPP and WLAN access networks (e.g., WLAN-A priority is 1, 3GPP priority is 2, WLAN-B priority is 3). The priority list may be used to define the relative priority of 3GPP accesses with respect to WLAN accesses or with respect to certain WLAN access networks. If the priority list of access networks in the ISMP rule includes only WLAN access networks, the list will not be used because WLAN selection is based on WLANSP only. The ISRP node in the ANDSF MO and its internal "flow based", "service based", and "non-seamless offload (fornon seamlessoff)" nodes remain unchanged. Therefore, ISRP rules for IP flow mobility (IFOM) and for Multiple Access PDN Connectivity (MAPCON) may also include A priority list of 3GPP and WLAN access networks (e.g., WLAN-A priority is 1, 3GPP priority is 2, WLAN-B priority is 3). The priority list may be used to define the relative priority of 3GPP accesses with respect to WLAN accesses or with respect to certain WLAN access networks.

If the priority list of access networks in ISRP for IFOM rule or ISRP for MAPCON rule includes only WLAN access networks, then the list will not be used for WLAN selection since WLAN selection is based on WLAN sp only. This list is also used by the UE to make IP traffic routing decisions. The priority list of access networks in ISRP for the non-seamless WLAN offload (NSWO) rule is not used because WLAN selection is based on WLANSP only. This list is also used by the UE to make IP traffic routing decisions. It is assumed that the active ISMP/ISRP rules in the UE can always be used to determine the relative priority of the most preferred WLAN (selected based on the active WLANSP rules) over the 3GPP access.

The UE may be provisioned with a number of valid ISMP, ISRP, and WLANSP rules. Of all these valid rules, the UE selects and applies only two rules: one is WLANSP rule and the other is ISMP rule or ISRP rule. The rules applied by the UE are referred to as "active" rules. Specifically, while a UE capable of routing IP traffic over multiple radio accesses simultaneously selects an active ISRP rule and an active WLANSP rule, a UE not capable of routing IP traffic over multiple radio accesses simultaneously selects an active ISMP rule and an active WLANSP rule.

When the UE is not roaming, the UE selects the active ISMP/ISRP rules and the active WLANSP rules to apply the valid rules provided by the HPLMN based on the individual priorities of these rules (or based on other criteria). For example, the highest priority valid WLANSP rule is selected as the active WLANSP rule.

When the UE is roaming, the UE may have valid rules from both the HPLMN and the VPLMN. In this case, the UE is configured to either prefer WLAN access network policies provided by the HPLMN or not. This configuration may be done by the user or by the local ANDSF via the PreferVplmnWlans node. The user configuration takes precedence over the local ANDSF configuration. If the UE is configured without WLAN access network policies preferred to be provided by the HPLMN (i.e., the VPLMN with which the UE is registered is included in the PreferVplmnWlans node), the UE selects the active WLANSP rule and the active ISMP/ISRP rule from the active rules provided by the VPLMN. If the UE is configured to prefer WLAN access network policies provided by the HPLMN (i.e., the VPLMN with which the UE is registered is not included in the PreferVplmnWlans node), the UE checks the WLANSP rules provided by the HPLMN and determines if any WLAN access networks in the rules are available. If at least one of these WLAN access networks is available, or is called available, the UE selects/reselects the active WLANSP rule and the active ISMP/ISRP rule from the valid rules provided by the HPLMN (e.g., based on their priority values). If none of these WLAN access networks are available, the UE selects the active WLANSP rule and the active ISMP/ISRP rule from the valid rules provided by the VPLMN.

During power up of the UE (when no PLMN is registered), the UE considers valid WLANSP rules provided by the HPLMN and selects an active WLANSP rule (e.g., the one with the highest priority) as described above. Thus, during power up, the UE may select a WLAN network based on WLANSP rules provided by the HPLMN.

As described above, after the UE selects the active ISMP/ISRP rule and the active WLANSP rule, the active rules may interact to select a network. If the UE selects an active ISMP rule because it cannot route IP traffic over multiple radio accesses simultaneously, the UE uses the active ISMP rule to determine whether an EPC connection is preferred over a WLAN access or over a 3GPP access. If the EPC connection is preferred over WLAN access (i.e., the highest priority access in the active ISMP rule is equivalent to WLAN access technology), the UE uses the active WLANSP rule to determine the most preferred available WLAN access network.

If the most preferred available WLAN access network has priority over 3GPP access (according to the priority access in the active ISMP rule), the UE connects to the EPC through the most preferred available WLAN access network. Otherwise the UE connects to the EPC through 3GPP access. For example, if the priority access network in the active ISMP rule is: WLAN-A priority is 1, 3GPP priority is 2, WLAN-B priority is 3, the UE determines that EPC connection is preferred over WLAN access because WLAN access network (WLAN-A) has priority over 3GPP access. The UE then uses the active WLANSP rules to determine the most preferred available WLAN access network. If the most preferred available WLAN access network has a lower priority than the 3GPP access (e.g., WLAN-B), then the UE connects to the EPC through the 3GPP access. If the most preferred available WLAN access network has priority over 3GPP access (e.g., WLAN-A), then the UE connects to the EPC through the most preferred available WLAN access network.

If the UE selects an active ISRP because it cannot route IP traffic over multiple radio accesses simultaneously, the UE uses the active WLANSP rules to select and connect to the most preferred available WLAN access network. If the IP flow matches the active ISRP including the IFOM rule for the priority list of access networks, the UE determines if the selected WLAN access network has a higher priority than the 3GPP access and routes the IP flow accordingly. For example, the priority access network in the active ISRP of the IFOM rule is: the WLAN-A priority may be 1, the 3GPP priority 2, and the WLAN-B priority 3. Thus, if the UE selects WLAN-B (or any WLAN network with a priority lower than 3GPP access), the UE routes the IP flow through the 3GPP access. If the UE selects WLAN-A (or any WLAN network with priority over 3GPP access), the UE routes the IP flow through the WLAN access.

If the UE attempts to establish a PDN connection for an Access Point Name (APN) of the active ISRP that matches the MAPCON rule and if the rule includes a priority list of access networks, the UE decides whether the selected WLAN access network has priority over the 3GPP access and establishes the PDN connection accordingly. For example, the preferred access network in the active ISRP of MAPCON may be: WLAN-A priority is 1, 3GPP priority is 2, and WLAN-B priority is 3. Based on the foregoing, if the UE selects WLAN-B (or any WLAN network with a priority lower than 3GPP access), the UE establishes a PDN connection through 3 GPP. If the UE selects WLAN-A (or any WLAN network with priority over 3GPP access), the UE establishes A PDN connection through the WLAN access. If the IP flow matches the active ISRP of the NSWO rule, the UE routes the IP flow through the selected WLAN access network.

The UE uses the active WLAN sp rules to select the most preferred available WLAN access network and then performs EAP-AKA/EAP-AKA 'authentication over that WLAN access network (if EAP-AKA/EAP-AKA' authentication is required). The WLAN selection is performed by the UE, which discovers available WLANs and places them in a priority order based on active WLANSP rules. For example, the priority may be WLAN-1 (priority is 1), WLAN-4, WLAN-2 (priority is 2), and WLAN-3 (priority is 3). The UE then selects the WLAN with the highest priority (best match), e.g., WLAN-1. If there are multiple WLANs with the same highest priority, the UE selects the WLAN that works with the most preferred service provider in the PSP list. Finally, for EAP-AKA/EAP-AKA' authentication (if needed), the UE determines from the PSP list the preferred service provider to work with the selected WLAN and constructs the NAI corresponding to the most preferred service provider. For example, if PSP-A is the most preferred service provider to work with the selected WLAN

NAI＝＜real_of_hplmn＞！＜IMSI＞@＜real_of_PSP-A＞。

It should be noted that EAP-AKA/EAP-AKA' authentication is only required when the UE decides to connect to the most preferred WLAN access network. The UE performs WLAN selection based on the active WLANSP rule (as described above) without considering real-time events associated with the active ISRP rule. Active ISRP rules are only used for routing decisions and do not affect the selection or reselection of WLAN access networks. For example, when a new IP flow in the UE matches the traffic selector in the active ISRP rule, this event should not trigger WLAN reselection. If the conditions for WLAN selection are changed each time a new application is run or certain IP flows are detected, WLAN selection in the UE becomes complicated and can lead to frequent WLAN re-selection, which has a negative impact on user experience and battery consumption. Events (e.g., changes in WLAN loading information, changes in UE location, changes in time information) may result in WLAN (re-) selection based on WLANSP rules.

The Preferred Service Provider List (PSPL) comprises a list of 3GPP service providers preferred by the 3GPP home operator of the UE. As detailed above, this list is used by the UE to (i) construct the NAI when the UE attempts EAP-AKA/EAP-AKA' authentication over the selected WLAN access network, and (ii) select the WLAN access network when there are multiple available WLANs that best match the preferences in the active WLAN sp rules. The PSPL includes a 3GPP service provider that can be identified as a realm, possibly with a domain name derived from a PLMN Identifier (ID). This allows the UE to select a preferred 3GPP service provider for authentication based on a list of 3GPP service providers (the UE can find from WLAN WP, e.g. by HS2.0 ANQP query if the AP is HS2.0 capable) among other information when selecting WLAN.

The UE uses the PSPL to identify whether the 3GPP service provider is an equivalent HPLMN or 3GPP roaming partner. The PSPL also includes a policy whether the UE prefers 3GPP RPLMN also for WLAN access. If the policy is set to "preferred 3GPP PLMN" and the active ANDSF rules are provided by the 3GPP RPLMN, the UE selects the 3GPP RPLMN (or PLMN equivalent to 3GPP PLMN) as the PLMN's choice for WLAN access. If the active ANDSF rule is provided by another PLMN instead of the 3GPP RPLMN, or the policy is not set, the UE uses PSPL as described above. The PSPL is always provided by the HPLMN through the local ANDSF or can be statically provided in the UE. The UE should ignore PSPL information (if any) provided by the visited ANDSF. If the UE has MOs from both the visited ANDSF and the local ANDSF, the UE uses only PSPL of the local ANDSFMO.

Turning now to fig. 4-7, a method for WLAN network selection is provided. Fig. 4 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating a method 400 for network selection. The method 400 may be performed by the UE102 or other mobile wireless device.

The method 400 begins and provides 402 a UE102 configured to communicate over a 3GPP network and a non-3 GPP network. UE102 may include a communication component 202, which communication component 202 includes one or more radios. For example, one radio may be configured to communicate over a 3GPP network and another radio may be configured to communicate over a non-cellular network (e.g., a WLAN).

The rules component 204 stores 404 an ANDSF MO comprising WLAN selection policies. In one embodiment, the WLAN selection policy includes an I-WLAN policy and an ANQP parameter. For example, the I-WLAN policy may include a policy for selecting an I-WLAN capable WLAN. The ANQP parameters may include parameters or values obtained by an ANQP program. In one embodiment, the ANQP parameter may include a parameter or value based on the hs2.0release 2 specification.

The network selection component 208 selects 406 available WLAN access networks based on the WLAN selection policy of the ANDSF MO. For example, the network selection component 208 as described above may select 406 a WLAN based on the ANDSF MO. In one embodiment, the network selection component 208 selects 406 a WLAN before connecting to any PLMN. For example, the network selection procedure used by the network selection component 208 can perform selecting 406 a WLAN access network after startup, during initial network selection, and/or when a 3GPP access network is unavailable.

Fig. 5 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating a method 500 for WLAN selection. The method 500 may be performed by the UE102 or other mobile wireless device. The UE102 may be configured to communicate with an eNB in a 3GPP LTE or LTE-enhanced (LTE-a) network as well as a WLAN.

The method 500 begins and a discovery component 206 discovers 502 a set of available WLAN access networks. The discovery component 206 may discover 502 a WLAN access network based on a rule set stored by the rule component 204. For example, a single rule set may include a single MO, such as an ANDSF MO.

The network selection component 208 prioritizes 502 the available WLAN access networks based on the WLAN selection policy within the single rule set. For example, the list of available WLAN access networks may be prioritized 502 based on HS2.0 parameters within a single rule set. These parameters include location, time information, network load, or other parameters. Any other parameters or rules discussed herein may also be used to prioritize 502WLAN access networks. For example, the operator-controlled, HPLMN-controlled, and/or user-controlled list of preferred networks and/or service providers may be used by the network selection component 208 to determine the prioritization 502 of WLAN access networks.

The network selection component 208 selects 506 the WLAN access network with the highest priority. For example, network selection component 208 may select the highest priority WLAN access network after determining a prioritization 504 of WLAN access networks. In one embodiment, if there are two access networks with the same highest priority, the network selection component 208 may select 506 the WLAN access network with the most preferred service provider.

Fig. 6 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating a method 600 for WLAN selection. The method 600 may be performed by the UE102 or other mobile wireless device.

The method 600 begins and the network selection component 208 prioritizes 602 available WLAN access networks based on merged WLAN selection policies within a single MO (e.g., within WLANSP. For example, network selection component 208 may select 602 a WLAN access network based on the ANDSF MO with a consolidated network selection policy that includes an I-WLAN selection policy and/or HS2.0 parameters. In one embodiment, a single MO may include a PSPL (e.g., PSPL.

In one embodiment, network selection component 208 prioritizes 602 available WLAN access networks by comparing attributes and/or performance of the WLAN access networks against a set of selection criteria in an active WLANSP rule. For example, the WLAN access network with the highest priority matching the selection criteria set is considered the most preferred WLAN, and the WLAN access network with the second highest priority matching the selection criteria set is considered the second preferred WLAN, and so on. Network selection component 208 performs WLAN network selection based on active WLANSP rules.

The network selection component 208 selects the highest priority WLAN access network to work with the most preferred service provider in the PSPL at 604. For example, the network selection component 208 may select 604 the WLAN access network with the highest priority based on how the network selection component 208 prioritizes 602 the available WLAN access networks. If there are multiple highest priority WLAN access networks (multiple WLAN access networks with the same highest priority), then the network selection component 208 selects the highest priority WLAN access network in 604, for example, to work with a service provider in the PSPL or other list having a higher priority. The network selection component 208 can compare the available service providers to a list of alternative network identifiers (e.g., realm, PUI, roaming affiliation ID) to select 604 the highest priority service provider.

The communication component 202 authenticates 606 the UE102 using the PSPL-based NAI. For example, the communication component 202 may authenticate 606 the UE102 with the PLMN authenticated using EAP-AKA/EAP-AKA'. The authenticated information may be included within the PSPL. The PSPL may include a list of preferred WLANs controlled by the HPLMN, VPLMN, etc.

The communication component 202 communicates 6083 GPP traffic over the selected 602WLAN access network. For example, communication component 202 may route IP traffic through a WLAN access network.

Fig. 7 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating a method 700 for synchronizing a network selection rule with a UE 102. Method 700 may be performed by ANDSF server 128 or other network infrastructure components.

The method 700 begins and the ANDSF server 128 stores 702 an ANDSF MO including network selection rules for the UE102 or other mobile wireless device. The ANDSF MO may include one or more service provider identifiers for identifying a preferred network. In one embodiment, the ANDSF MO stored 702 by the ANDSF server 128 may include rules based on realm, OUI, roaming affiliation ID, or other network identifier or service provider's identifier.

ANDSF server 128 establishes 704 communication with UE 102. UE102 may include UE102 within a geographic area corresponding to ANDSF server 128. The ANDSF server 128 synchronizes 706 at least a portion of the ANDSF MO with the UE 102. For example, UE102 may store a copy of the MO at UE 102. The ANDSF server 128 synchronizes 706 the ANDSF MO with the UE102 in response to updates or changes made to the ANDSFMO. In one embodiment, the portion of the ANDSF MO synchronized with the UE102 includes preferences of the access network corresponding to the preferred service provider. The ANDSF MO may indicate a preferred service provider based on SSID, realm, or other identifier.

Fig. 8 is an exemplary illustration of a mobile device (e.g., User Equipment (UE), Mobile Station (MS), mobile wireless device, mobile communication device, tablet, handset, or other type of wireless device). The mobile device may include one or more antennas configured to communicate with a transmitting station (e.g., a Base Station (BS), eNB, baseband unit (BBU), Remote Radio Head (RRH), Remote Radio Equipment (RRE), Relay Station (RS), Radio Equipment (RE), or other type of Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) access point). The mobile device may be configured to communicate using at least one wireless communication standard, the wireless communication standard comprising: 3GPP LTE, WiMAX, HSPA, Bluetooth, and WiFi. The mobile device may communicate using separate antennas for each wireless communication standard or may communicate using a shared antenna for multiple wireless communication standards. The mobile device may communicate in a WLAN, a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN), and/or a WWAN.

Fig. 8 also provides an illustration of a microphone and one or more speakers that can be used for audio input and output of the mobile device. The display screen may be a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen or other type of display screen (e.g., an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display). The display screen may be configured as a touch screen. The touch screen may use capacitive, resistive, or another type of touch screen technology. An application processor and a graphics processor may be coupled to the internal memory to provide processing and display functions. The non-volatile memory port may also be used to provide data input/output options to a user. The non-volatile memory port may also be used to extend the memory functionality of the mobile device. The keyboard may be integrated with the mobile device or wirelessly connected to the mobile device to provide additional user input. A virtual keyboard may also be provided using a touch screen.

Examples of the invention

The following examples relate to further examples

Example 1 is a UE comprising a communication component, a rules component, a network selection component. The communication component is configured to communicate over a 3GPP network and a non-cellular network. The rules component is configured to store an ANDSF MO including WLAN selection policies for network selection on the UE. The WLAN selection policy includes an I-WLAN policy and HS2.0 parameters. The network selection component is configured to select an available WLAN access network based on the WLAN selection policy of the ANDSF MO.

In example 2, the WLAN selection policy for network selection of example 1 may optionally include a policy required for WLAN network selection without reference to another MO.

In example 3, the network selection component of examples 1-2 may optionally select an available WLAN access network during initial network selection.

In example 4, the WLAN selection policies of examples 1-3 are selectively stored under the WLANSP sub-tree of the ANDSF MO.

In example 5, the WLAN selection policies of examples 1-4 are optionally stored separately from ISMP and ISRP.

In example 6, the HS2.0 parameter of examples 1-5 was optionally obtained using ANQP.

In example 7, the WLAN selection policies of examples 1-6 may optionally include a preferred service provider policy.

In example 8, the preferred service provider policy of example 7 may optionally include a NAI realm-based policy.

In example 9 is a UE configured to communicate with one or more of enbs in a 3GPP LTE or LTE-a network and WLAN. The UE is configured to discover a set of available WLAN access networks. The UE is configured to prioritize available WLAN access networks based on WLAN selection policies within a single rule set. The rule set includes a WLAN selection policy based on HS2.0 parameters. The UE is configured to select the WLAN access network with the highest priority.

In example 10, the WLAN selection policy of example 9 may optionally include one or more of a policy based on the HS2.0 location parameter, a policy based on the HS2.0 access network type parameter, and a policy based on the HS2.0 backhaul load parameter.

In example 11, the discovering of a set of available WLAN access networks in examples 9-10 optionally includes discovering the HS2.0 parameter using an Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP).

In example 12, the WLAN selection policy of examples 9-11 may optionally include a preferred service provider policy.

In example 13, the UE of examples 9-12 is further selectively configured to determine an active WLAN selection policy, and the UE selectively prioritizes available WLAN access networks based on the active WLAN selection policy.

In example 14, the UE of examples 9-13 may optionally be configured to apply one of ISRP and ISMP after determining the prioritization of available WLAN access networks.

Example 15 is a method for WLAN network selection. The method includes prioritizing available WLAN access networks based on a merged WLANSP within a single MO. The MO includes PSPL and preferVplmnWlans. The method includes selecting a highest priority WLAN access network to work with a most preferred service provider in one of PSPL and PreferVplmnWlans. The method includes authenticating using an NAI based on one of PSPL and PreferVplmnWlans. The method also includes transmitting 3GPP IP traffic over the selected WLAN access network.

In example 16, the PSPL of example 15 may optionally include one or more of an operator control list, a user control list, and a HPLMN control list.

In example 17, selecting the highest priority WLAN of examples 15-16 may optionally include selecting the highest priority WLAN access network to work with a most preferred service provider in PreferVplmnWlans in response to roaming to the preferred VPLMN.

In example 18, the authentication in examples 15-17 may optionally include authenticating using EAP-AKA/EAP-AKA' authentication.

In example 19, the PSPL of examples 15-18 may optionally enable WLAN network selection without an SSID.

Example 20 is a computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium having program code stored therein for causing one or more processors to perform a method. The method includes storing an ANDSF MO indicating network selection rules for the mobile wireless device. The network selection rule includes one or more service provider identifiers indicating service provider preferences. The method includes establishing communication with a mobile wireless device. The method also includes synchronizing at least a portion of the ANDSFMO with the mobile wireless device. At least a portion of the ANDSF MO includes one or more service provider identifiers.

In example 21, the synchronizing at least a portion of the ANDSF MO in example 20 may optionally comprise synchronizing one or more service provider identifiers, the one or more service provider identifiers comprising the OUI.

In example 22, the OUI of example 21 may optionally comprise an OUI registered with an IEEE registration authority.

In example 23, the synchronizing at least a portion of the ANDSF MO in examples 20-22 may optionally include synchronizing one or more service provider identifiers, the one or more service provider identifiers including a NAI realm.

Example 24 is a method for selecting a WLAN access network. The method includes communicating over a 3GPP network and a non-cellular network. The method includes storing an ANDSF MO including a WLAN selection policy for network selection on the UE. The WLAN selection policy includes an I-WLAN policy and HS2.0 parameters. The method further includes selecting an available WLAN access network based on the WLAN selection policy of the ANDSF MO.

In example 25, the WLAN selection policy for network selection of example 24 may optionally include a policy required for WLAN network selection without reference to another MO.

In example 26, selecting a WLAN access network of examples 24-25 may optionally select an available WLAN access network in the course of initial network selection.

In example 27, the WLAN selection policies of examples 24-26 are selectively stored under the WLANSP sub-tree of the ANDSF MO.

In example 28, the WLAN selection policies of examples 24-27 are selectively stored separately from ISMP and ISRP.

In example 29, the HS2.0 parameters of examples 24-28 were selectively obtained using ANQP.

In example 30, the WLAN selection policy of examples 24-29 may optionally include a preferred service provider policy.

In example 31, the preferred service provider policy of example 30 may optionally comprise a NAI realm-based policy.

Example 32 is a method for selecting a WLAN access network. The method includes communicating with one or more of the enbs in a 3GPP LTE or LTE-a network and a WLAN. The method includes discovering a set of available WLAN access networks. The method includes prioritizing available WLAN access networks based on WLAN selection policies within a single rule set. The rule set includes a WLAN selection policy based on HS2.0 parameters. The method includes selecting a WLAN access network with a highest priority.

In example 33, the WLAN selection policy of example 32 may optionally include one or more of a policy based on an HS2.0 location parameter, a policy based on an HS2.0 access network type parameter, and a policy based on an HS2.0 backhaul load parameter.

In example 34, the discovering of a set of available WLAN access networks in examples 32-33 optionally includes discovering the HS2.0 parameter using ANQP.

In example 35, the WLAN selection policies of examples 32-34 may optionally include a preferred service provider policy.

In example 36, the method of examples 32-35 may further optionally include determining an active WLAN selection policy. Prioritizing optionally includes prioritizing available WLAN access networks based on the active WLAN selection policy.

In example 37, the method of examples 32-36 may optionally include applying one of ISRP and ISMP after prioritizing available WLAN access networks.

Example 38 a method for WLAN network selection. The method includes prioritizing available WLAN access networks based on a merged WLANSP within a single MO. The MO also includes PSPL and preferVplmnWlans. The method includes selecting a highest priority WLAN access network to work with a most preferred service provider in one of PSPL and PreferVplmnWlans. The method includes authenticating using an NAI based on one of PSPL and PreferVplmnWlans. The method also includes transmitting the 3GPP IP traffic over the selected WLAN access network.

In example 39, the PSPL of example 38 may optionally include one or more of an operator control list, a user control list, and a HPLMN control list.

In example 40, selecting the highest priority WLAN of examples 38-39 may optionally include selecting the highest priority WLAN access network to work with a most preferred service provider in PreferVplmnWlans in response to roaming to the preferred VPLMN.

In example 41, the authentication in examples 38-40 may optionally include authenticating using EAP-AKA/EAP-AKA' authentication.

In example 42, the PSPL of examples 38-41 may optionally enable WLAN network selection without an SSID.

Example 43 is a method for synchronizing an ANDSF MO. The method includes storing an ANDSF MO indicating network selection rules for the mobile wireless device. The network selection rule includes one or more service provider identifiers indicating service provider preferences. The method includes establishing communication with a mobile wireless device. The method also includes synchronizing at least a portion of the ANDSF MO with the mobile wireless device. At least a portion of the ANDSF MO includes one or more service provider identifiers.

In example 44, synchronizing at least a portion of the ANDSF MO in example 43 may optionally include synchronizing one or more service provider identifiers including the OUI.

In example 45, the OUI of example 44 may optionally comprise the OUI registered with an IEEE registration authority.

In example 46, the synchronizing at least a portion of the ANDSF MO in examples 43-45 may optionally include synchronizing one or more service provider identifiers including a NAI realm.

Example 47 is an apparatus comprising means to perform the method of any of examples 24-46.

Example 48 is a machine-readable storage device comprising machine-readable instructions that, when executed, may implement a method or an apparatus implementing any of examples 24-47.

The various techniques, or certain aspects or portions thereof, may take the form of program code (i.e., instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, non-transitory computer-readable storage media, or any other machine-readable storage medium, wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the various techniques. In the case of program code execution on programmable computers, the computing device can include a processor, a storage medium readable by the processor (including volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least one input device, and at least one output device. The volatile and nonvolatile memory and/or storage elements can be RAM, EPROM, flash drive, optical drive, magnetic hard drive, or other media for storing electronic data. The eNB (or other base station) and the UE (or other mobile station) may also include transceiver components, counter components, processing components, and/or clock components or timer components. One or more programs that may implement or utilize the various techniques described herein may use an Application Program Interface (API), reusable controls, and the like. Such programs may be implemented in a high level procedural or object oriented programming language to communicate with a computer system. However, the program(s) can be implemented in a component or machine language, as desired. In any case, the language may be a compiled or interpreted language, and combined with hardware implementations.

It should be appreciated that many of the functional units described in this specification can be implemented as one or more components, which are terms used to more particularly emphasize their implementation independence. For example, a component may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom VLSI circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. A component may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices (e.g., field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, etc.).

Components may also be implemented in software for execution by various types of processors. An identified module of executable code may, for instance, comprise one or more physical or logical blocks of computer instructions which may, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, or function. The executables of an identified component need not be physically located together, but may comprise disparate instructions stored in different locations which, when joined logically together, comprise the module and achieve the stated purpose for the module.

Indeed, a component of executable code may be a single instruction, or many instructions, and may even be distributed over several different code segments, among different programs, and across several memory devices. Similarly, operational data may be identified and illustrated herein within modules, and may be embedded in any suitable form and organized within any suitable type of data structure. The operational data may be collected as a single data set, or may be distributed over different locations including over different storage devices, and may exist, at least partially, merely as electronic signals on a system or network. The components may be active or passive, including agents operable to perform desired functions.

Reference throughout this specification to "an example" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrase "in an example" appearing in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a general list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a general group without indications to the contrary. Additionally, various embodiments and examples of the present invention may be referred to herein along with their substitution of various components. It should be understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as actual equivalents to each other, but are to be considered as independent and autonomous representations of the present invention.

Although the foregoing has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be made without departing from the principles thereof. It should be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the processes and apparatuses described herein. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many changes could be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined only by the following claims.

Claims (25)

1. An apparatus of a User Equipment (UE), comprising:

a memory device that performs the following operations:

storing a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) Management Object (MO) corresponding to information in an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) element of the ANDSF;

wherein the ANDSF MO includes a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) selection policy (WLANSP) including a set of WLANSP rules for WLAN access network selection on the UE, and

wherein one or more WLAN sp rules of the set of WLAN sp rules are based on attributes or capabilities of the WLAN access networks available for selection, including one or more prioritized sets of WLAN selection criteria; and

one or more processors that perform the following operations:

comparing attributes or capabilities of available WLAN access networks to the one or more prioritized groups of WLAN selection criteria based on active WLANSP rules of the set of WLANSP rules to generate a prioritized list of the available WLAN access networks; and

selecting a preferred WLAN access network from the prioritized list of available WLAN access networks.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further to configure routing of Internet Protocol (IP) flows through the preferred WLAN access network.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the set of WLANSP rules further includes a validity condition indicating when a WLANSP rule is valid.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the validity condition comprises at least one of a validity region and a time, and wherein an activity rule satisfies the validity condition.

5. The apparatus of any of claims 1-4, wherein the UE is provisioned with the set of WLANSP rules from a plurality of Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs).

6. The apparatus of any of claims 1-4, wherein the WLAN selection criteria is based on one or more WLAN attributes including a prioritized list of Service Set Identifiers (SSIDs) preferred for selection, and home network parameters associated with a local operator.

7. The apparatus of any of claims 1-4, wherein the memory device is configured to store a user preference identifier for a user preferred WLAN access network; and wherein when the available WLAN access networks include the user preferred WLAN access network, the one or more processors are configured to prioritize the user preference identifier to select the preferred WLAN access network.

8. The apparatus of any of claims 1-4, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to discover the available WLAN access networks.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: performing an Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) procedure of a WLAN Access Point (AP) automatic connection specification to discover the attributes or capabilities of the available WLAN access networks.

10. The apparatus of any of claims 1-4, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: determining that there are multiple WLAN access networks with the same highest priority in the priority list; and in response to determining the plurality of WLAN access networks, performing the following:

determining that the UE is roaming; and

in response to determining that the UE is roaming, selecting the preferred WLAN access network from:

a first WLAN access network that operates in conjunction with a Registered Public Land Mobile Network (RPLMN); and

a second WLAN access network that operates with a service provider or partner associated with a Visited Public Land Mobile Network (VPLMN).

11. The apparatus of any of claims 1-4, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to construct a Network Access Identifier (NAI) to perform access authentication of the selected preferred WLAN access network.

12. The apparatus of any of claims 1-4, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: selecting the preferred WLAN access network from the prioritized list of available WLAN access networks based on the active WLANSP rule, regardless of real-time events associated with active inter-system routing policy (ISRP) rules.

13. An apparatus of an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) for an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) in a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN), comprising:

a memory that performs the following operations:

storing a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) selection policy (WLANSP) that includes WLANSP rules for WLAN selection by a User Equipment (UE) within the WWAN,

wherein the WLANSP rule comprises:

a validity condition indicating when each WLANSP rule is valid; and

one or more sets of prioritized WLAN selection criteria; and

one or more processors that generate a message that provides the WLANSP rule to the UE.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the memory stores the WLANSP in an ANDSF Memory Object (MO).

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the validity condition comprises at least one of a validity region and a time.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors provide the WLANSP rule to the UE through one of a home public land mobile network or a visited public land mobile network.

17. The apparatus of any one of claims 13-16, wherein to provide the WLANSP rule to the UE, the one or more processors are configured to generate the message in response to a request from the UE.

18. The apparatus of any one of claims 13-16, wherein the one or more processors are configured to initiate provision of the WLANSP rule to the UE.

19. The apparatus of any of claims 13-16, wherein the WLAN selection criteria is based on one or more WLAN attributes including a prioritized list of Service Set Identifiers (SSIDs) preferred for selection and home network parameters associated with a local operator.

20. A method for a User Equipment (UE), comprising:

discovering a set of available Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access networks;

prioritizing the available WLAN access networks based on WLAN selection policies within a rule set, wherein the rule set includes WLAN selection policies provided by a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN), each member of the rule set including:

a rule priority value that establishes a relative priority of the member as compared to other members of the rule group; and

one or more WLAN attribute preferences under the member; and

the WLAN access network that best matches the desired priority and preferences is selected.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising: routing an Internet Protocol (IP) flow from the WWAN through a preferred WLAN access network, wherein each member of the rule set further includes a validity condition indicating when the member of the rule set is valid, and wherein the validity condition includes at least one of a validity region and a time.

22. A method of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) for a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN), the method comprising:

processing a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) selection policy (WLANSP) including WLANSP rules for WLAN selection by a User Equipment (UE) within the WWAN, wherein the WLANSP rules include:

a validity condition indicating when each WLANSP rule is valid; and

one or more sets of prioritized WLAN selection criteria; and

generating a message providing the WLANSP rule to the UE.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising: storing the WLANSP in an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) Memory Object (MO), wherein the validity condition comprises at least one of a validity area and a time, and wherein the method further comprises: providing the WLANSP rule to the UE via one of a home public land mobile network or a visited public land mobile network.

24. An apparatus comprising means for performing the method of any of claims 20-23.

25. A machine-readable medium comprising code, which when executed, causes a machine to perform the method of any of claims 20-23.