WO2014067134A1

WO2014067134A1 - Methods and apparatuses for supporting offloading

Info

Publication number: WO2014067134A1
Application number: PCT/CN2012/084005
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yizhi Yao; Xiang Xu
Original assignee: Nokia Siemens Networks Oy
Priority date: 2012-11-02
Filing date: 2012-11-02
Publication date: 2014-05-08

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for supporting offloading from a first communication network to a second communication network have been provided. Specifically, embodiments have been provided for a network element (e.g., eNB, RNC) of the first communication network (e.g., RAN) to obtain information about the second communication network (e.g., WLAN), especially performance information of a plurality of network access elements (e.g., WLAN APs), in order to support offloading to the second communication network. The transmission of the information is implemented via a network manager or an element manager of the first communication network without additional assisting network elements.

Description

METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR SUPPORTING OFFLOADING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The example and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and apparatuses for supporting offloading. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods, apparatuses, computer-readable storage medium and computer program products for obtaining information related to a second communication network to support offloading to the second communication network.

BACKGROUND

[0002] This section introduces aspects that may help facilitate a better understanding of the invention(s). Accordingly, the statements of this section are to be read in this light and are not to be understood as admissions about what is in the prior art or what is not in the prior art.

[0003] The abbreviations and terms appearing in the description and drawings are defined as below.

3 GPP Third Generation Partnership Project

ANDSF Access network discovery and selection function

AP Access Point

EM Element Manager

eNB enhanced NodeB, Base Station in E-UTRAN

E-UTRAN Evolved UTRAN

IE Information Element

IOC Information Object Class

ITF-N Northbound interface

LTE Long Term Evolution

LTE-A LTE Advanced

NE Network Element

NM Network Manager OAM Operation Administration and Maintenance

QoS Quality of service

RAN Radio access network

RNC Radio network controller

SSID Service set identifier

UE User equipment

WLAN Wireless local area network

[0004] The modern communications era has brought about a tremendous expansion of wired and wireless networks. Computer networks, television networks, and telephony networks are experiencing an unprecedented technological expansion, driven by consumer demand. Wireless and mobile networking technologies have addressed related consumer demands, while providing more flexibility and immediacy of information transfer.

[0005] Due at least in part to the expansion of wireless networking technologies, some cellular networks have experienced congestion, lack of capacity, low throughput and/or bandwidth, difficulties controlling data costs, and inconvenience to the user. In addition to cellular networks, many user devices may be configured to access local area networks for data access.

[0006] Wireless local area network (WLAN) is recognized as significant complementary to the mobile networks. WLAN offloading from mobile networks is a typical requirement for mobile operators.

[0007] A method for handoff between a WLAN and a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) is described in U.S. Patent application publication US2012/0178441A1. The method comprises the cellular access network broadcasting network information which indicates a plurality of WLANs available for handoff.

[0008] However, the above method does not disclose how the cellular access network obtains the network information of those WLANs. Thus, the key issue is how the cellular access network or the radio access network (RAN) knows the infonnation about the available WLAN access points (APs).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Therefore, it would be desirable in the art to provide a solution where a network element (e.g., eNB, RNC) of a first communication network (e.g., RAN) can obtain infonnation about a second communication network (e.g., WLAN), especially performance infonnation of a plurality of network access elements (e.g., WLAN APs), in order to support offloading to the second communication network. By obtaining such information, the RAN can provide the infonnation to its UE(s), or the RAN may use the infonnation to adjust its parameters or working mode, or the RAN may use the infonnation of the WLAN APs when it needs to redirect or offload its UE(s) to the WLAN system.

[0010] To better address one or more of the above concerns, in a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for use by a network manager (NM) of a first communication network, comprising: receiving infonnation of a plurality of network access elements of a second communication network; and causing, via an element manager (EM) of the first communication network, transmission of said infonnation to a network element (NE) of the first communication network for supporting offloading to the second communication network.

[0011] In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for use by an element manager (EM) of a first communication network, comprising: receiving infonnation of a plurality of network access elements of a second communication network; and transmitting said infonnation to a network element (NE) of the first communication network for supporting offloading to the second communication network.

[0012] In some embodiments, the infonnation comprises static infonnation and dynamic perfonnance infonnation related to each of the plurality of network access elements of the second communication network, and the dynamic perfonnance information comprises perfonnance measurement results at the respective network access elements.

[0013] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise before transmitting the infonnation, processing the infonnation to generate a list by using at least one predetermined criterion; and transmitting the list.

[0014] In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for use by a network element (NE) of a first communication network, comprising: receiving, from an element manager (EM) of the first communication network, information of a plurality of network access elements of a second communication network; and sending to one or more of its user equipments (UE) a network access element list obtained from said infonnation for supporting offloading to the second communication network.

[0015] In a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for use by a network manager (NM) of a first communication network, comprising: at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the network manager at least to perform: receiving infonnation of a plurality of network access elements of a second communication network; and causing, via an element manager (EM) of the first communication network, transmission of said information to a network element (NE) of the first communication network for supporting offloading to the second communication network.

[0016] In a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for use by an element manager (EM) of a first communication network, comprising: at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the element manager at least to perform: receiving information of a plurality of network access elements of a second communication network; and transmitting said infonnation to a network element (NE) of the first communication network for supporting offloading to the second communication network.

[0017] In a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for use by a network element (NE) of a first communication network, comprising: at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the network element at least to perfonn: receiving, from an element manager (EM) of the first communication network, information of a plurality of network access elements of a second communication network; and sending to one or more of its user equipments (UE) a network access element list obtained from said information for supporting offloading to the second communication network.

[0018] In a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for supporting offloading from a first communication network to a second communication network, comprising, at a management element (such as an element manager (EM) or a network manager (NM)) of the second communication network: collecting infonnation of a plurality of network access elements of the second communication network; and transmitting said infonnation to a network manager (NM), an element manager (EM) or a network element (NE) of the first communication network.

[0019] In an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for supporting offloading from a first communication network to a second communication network, implemented at a management element of the second communication network, comprising: at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: collecting information of a plurality of network access elements of the second communication network; and transmitting said information to a network manager (NM), an element manager (EM) or a network element (NE) of the first communication network.

[0020] In a ninth aspect of the invention, there is also provided an apparatus for use by a network manager (NM) of a first communication network, comprising: means for receiving information of a plurality of network access elements of a second communication network; and means for causing, via an element manager (EM) of the first communication network, transmission of said infonnation to a network element (NE) of the first communication network for supporting offloading to the second communication network.

[0021] In a tenth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for use by an element manager (EM) of a first communication network, comprising: means for receiving infonnation of a plurality of network access elements of a second communication network; and means for transmitting said infonnation to a network element (NE) of the first communication network for supporting offloading to the second communication network.

[0022] In an eleventh aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for use by a network element (NE) of a first communication network, comprising: means for receiving, from an element manager (EM) of the first communication network, information of a plurality of network access elements of a second communication network; and means for sending to one or more of its user equipments (UE) a network access element list obtained from said information for supporting offloading to the second communication network.

[0023] In a twelfth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for supporting offloading from a first communication network to a second communication network, implemented at a management element (such as an element manager (EM) or a network manager (NM)) of the second communication network, comprising: means for collecting infonnation of a plurality of network access elements of the second communication network; and means for transmitting said information to a network manager (NM), an element manager (EM) or a network element (NE) of the first communication network.

[0024] In a thirteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer-readable storage media having computer program code stored thereon, the computer program code configured to, when executed, cause an apparatus to perioral actions in the method according to any one of embodiments of the present invention.

[0025] In a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage media according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention.

[0026] Particular embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented so as to realize one or more of the following advantages.

[0027] With particular embodiments of the techniques described in this specification, solutions for a network element (e.g., eNB, RNC) of a first communi cation network (e.g., RAN) to obtain information related to a plurality of network access elements (APs) of a second communication network (e.g., WLAN) have been provided. The information may be obtained via a network manager or an element manager of the first communication network without a so-called Access Network Selection and Discovery Function (ANDSF). The information may comprise performance information of the plurality of WLAN APs. The RAN may use the performance information when it needs to redirect or offload its UE(s) to the WLAN system.

[0028] Other features and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention will also be understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The above and other aspects, features, and benefits of various embodiments of the invention will become more fully apparent, by way of example, from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates an example management architecture 100 of RAN and WLAN according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates an example management architecture 200 of RAN and WLAN according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] FIG 3 illustrates an example management architecture 300 of RAN and WLAN according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates an example management architecture 400 of RAN and WLAN according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 5 shows a flowchart illustrating a method executed in a network manager of a first communication network according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart illustrating a method executed in an element manager of a first communication network according to some embodiments of the present invention; [0036] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart illustrating a method executed in a network element of a first communication network according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart illustrating a method executed in a management element (NM or EM) of a second communication network according to some embodiments of the present invention; and

[0038] FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an apparatus 900900 that may be configured to practice example embodiments of the present invention.

[0039] Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0040] Hereinafter, the principle and spirit of the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrative embodiments. It should be understood, all these embodiments are given merely for the skilled in the art to better understand and further practice the present invention, but not for limiting the scope of the present invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used with another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions should be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0041] For illustrating the present invention, the examples and embodiments will be described in connection with a cellular communication network based on a 3 GPP based communication system as an example for a first communication network and WiFi networks or WLAN networks as examples of a second communication network. However, it is to be noted that the present invention is not limited to an application using such types of communication networks or systems, but is also applicable in other types of communication systems and the like.

[0042] For the purpose of understanding and setting forth embodiments of the present invention, a network management architecture is described as blow. [0043] Generally, the network management architecture consists of three levels: Network Manager (NM) level, Element Manager (EM) level, and Network Element (NE, e.g., eNB, RNC) level.

[0044] An Element Manager (EM) provides a package of end-user functions for management of a set of closely related types of network elements. These functions can be divided into two main categories: Element Management Functions and Sub-Network Management Functions.

[0045] Sub -Network management functions are functions related to a network model for a set of Network Elements constituting a clearly defined sub-network, which may include relations between the Network Elements. This model enables additional functions on the sub-network level (typically in the areas of network topology presentation, alarm correlation, service impact analysis and circuit provisioning).

[0046] A Network Manager (NM) provides a package of end-user functions with the responsibility for the management of a network, mainly as supported by the EM(s) but it may also involve direct access to the Network Elements. All communication with the network is based on open and well-standardized interfaces supporting management of multi- vendor and multi-technology Network Elements.

[0047] A Network Element (NE) is a discrete telecommunications entity, which can be managed over a specific interface, e.g. the RNC.

[0048] The NM level is connected to the EM level via a northbound interface Itf-N, and the EM level is connected to the NE level via a southbound interface Itf-S. Two or more EMs may be connected via a P2P interface, and two or more NEs (e.g., eNB_l , eNB_2) may be connected, e.g. in case of LTE via an X2 interface.

[0049] Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by utilizing one or more of the above mentioned entities, without additional assisting network elements, such as ANDSF which is introduced in some 3GPP specifications to provide access network discovery and selection information to UEs.

[0050] Depending on the actual demand, the network management architecture may be slightly different. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to different network management architectures.

[0051] FIG. 1 illustrates an example management architecture 100 of RAN and WLAN according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 1 , the network management architecture 100 consists of three levels: a Network Manager (NM) level, an Element Manager (EM) level, and a Network Element (NE, e.g., RNC node such as eNB, RNC, and WLAN node such as WLAN AP) level. In the NM level, a centralized NM 110 (i.e., for both the RAN and the WLAN) is provided to manage an EM 121 of the RAN and an EM 122 of the WLAN. The EMs 121 and 122 are connected to the NM 110 via a northbound interface Itf-N. Each of the EMs 121 and 122 can be connected to one or more NEs of the respective networks. For example, the EM 121 of RAN is connected to RAN nodes 131 and 132, and the EM 122 of WLAN is connected to WLAN nodes 133 and 134. A WLAN node 135 may be connected to the centralized NM 110 directly. Although the EM 121 is shown as a separated entity, it can be physically incorporated into a RAN node.

[0053] It is to be noted that even though only one second communication network

(e.g., WLAN) is shown and described, it is of course possible that more than one "second" communication network is present (basically, each WLAN node (e.g., WLAN AP) can represent an own communication network), which are connected to the EM 122 of the second network or the centralized NM 110. It is also to be noted that the WLAN networks forming the second communication network can be owned by the same operator as that of the first communication network (e.g., a 3GPP operator) or may be operated by one or more third party providers (i.e., independent to the first communication network).

[0054] In the architecture as shown in FIG. 1, information of a plurality of WLAN APs (133, 134, 135) is collected by the EM 122 of the WLAN or collected directly by the centralized NM 110, depending on the management architecture of the WLAN.

[0055] The information may comprise all kinds of information for supporting a NE of the first communication network offloading to the second communication network. The information may comprise static information and dynamic performance information related to each WLAN AP.

[0056] For example, the static information may comprise at least one of: an identification of the corresponding WLAN AP; a location of the corresponding WLAN AP; and an overlaying relation with the network element of the first communication network, such as an eNB of the RAN. The identification of a WLAN AP may be the Service set identifier (SSID) of the WLAN AP, or Roaming Consortium list. The static information may further comprise other information, i.e. the information listed in Table 1, which is useful for supporting the offloading to WLAN.

[0057] The static information may be directly configured to the network element of the first communication network, via its element manager (EM) and/or the network manager (NM), but not received from the network element, the element manager (EM) or the network manager (NM) of the second communication network.

[0058] In some embodiments, the static information may be transferred by a new information object class (IOC), e.g., the name may be WlanApInfo, created in 3GPP TS or TR

32. Series and/or as new specification for WLAN NRMs (Network Reference Models). Table 1 shows the new IOC with the following attributes,

Table 1

[0059] In some other embodiments, the static information may be transferred via one or more new attributes (such as the same attributes shown in the table above) in the existing IOC(s), such as EUtranGenericCell IOC in 3 GPP TS 32.762 and/or UtranGenericCell IOC in 3 GPP TS 32.642.

[0060] The dynamic performance information may comprise all kinds of information related to dynamic communication performance of the WLAN AP. For example, the dynamic performance information may comprise performance measurement results at the respective network access. The performance measurement results may comprise at least one of: a load situation (e.g., overloaded, light load, heavy load, etc.) of the WLAN AP, an interference level (e.g., low interference, middle interference, high interference, etc.) of the WLAN AP, and a service situation (e.g., normal, outage or out of service, connection fail, wait, etc.) of the WLAN AP.

[0061] The performance measurement like load information of each WLAN AP is useful for WLAN offloading from mobile networks or RANs. The WLAN APs without a good situation like overloaded may be not suitable to accept extra load from mobile networks anymore, thus the RAN nodes should know the correct information about available WLAN APs when offloading is needed.

[0062] The performance measurement may be conducted periodically or triggered by an event, for example, when requested by a RAN which needs offloading, or when crossing some threshold(s), such as the QoS of the WLAN AP being below a certain threshold or the WLAN AP being overloaded.

[0063] The dynamic performance information may be transmitted in the form of a message or a file, which may be defined or specified in TR or TS 32. series.

[0064] Because the static information will not vary as time, the static information and the dynamic information may be collected separately. In other words, the static information can be only reported one time, while the dynamic performance information may be reported periodically or triggered by an event, for example when requested by a RAN which needs offloading, or when crossing some threshold(s), such as the QoS of the WLAN AP being below a certain threshold or the WLAN AP being overloaded. It is to be noted that the period for performance measurement and the period for reporting may be same or different.

[0065] Then, the collected information of the plurality of WLAN APs may be transferred from the EM 122 of the WLAN to the centralized NM 110. Then the centralized NM 110 propagates the information to the EM 121 of the RAN. The EM 121 of the RAN in turn propagates the information to its RAN nodes 131 and 132. Such information may be used by the RAN nodes 131 and 132 to support their offloading to WLAN.

[0066] In order to improve the efficiency of selecting a WLAN AP during offloading and/or the efficiency of transmitting information, it may be desired that only the information of those WLAN APs which offer a certain level of connection quality or performance is transferred. For this puipose, in some embodiments of the present invention, the collected information may be processed to generate a list of WLAN APs by using at least one predetermined criterion. The list may be a priority list indicating a preference order for selecting the plurality of WLAN APs for communicating with UEs of the RAN. [0067] The at least one predetermined criterion may be selected from a group consisted of: a load situation of the WLAN AP, an interference level of the WLAN AP, a quality of a communication to be conducted via the WLAN AP, a location of the WLAN AP, a service situation of the WLAN AP, charging rules of the WLAN AP, a proprietor of the WLAN AP, and other criteria which are related to the performance information.

[0068] The processing may be performed in any one or more entities involved. For example, the processing may be implemented in any one or more of the EM 122 of the WLAN, the centralized NM 110, the EM 121 of the RAN, and the RAN nodes 131 and 132. When the processing is performed in multiple entities, the criterion used in each entity may be different. Thus, the propagated information may comprise original information collected from the plurality of WLAN APs and/or a first list of available WLAN APs generated from the original information.

[0069] After processing, a second list may be generated. The second list may be a new list or a modified version of the first list. For example, the first list may be generated at the EM 122 of the WLAN by using a first criterion. At the centralized NM 110, further processing is performed. For example, the NM 110 may determine WLAN APs inappropriate for communicating with UEs of the RAN by using a second criterion. Then, the NM 110 may generate a new list which indicating the inappropriate WLAN APs. Alternatively, the NM 110 may discard the inappropriate WLAN APs from the first list so as to generate a modified version of the first list.

[0070] Other processing may also be performed according to the actual demand. For example, if the collected information includes location information of a WLAN AP, the involved entity may convert the location information to the overlaying relations of the WLAN AP with RAN nodes in question.

[0071] Having received the information of the plurality of WLAN APs from the EM

121 of the RAN, the RAN nodes 131 and 132 may send (e.g., by broadcasting or dedicated messages or in other manner) to one or more of their UEs a WLAN AP list obtained from the information for supporting offloading to the WLAN.

[0072] The WLAN AP list may be a priority list of available WLAN APs. In one embodiment, the priority list is obtained directly from the information. That is, the priority list is generated by one or more entities in the upstream of the transmission. In another embodiment, the priority list may be generated by the RAN node 131 or 132 from the received information using at least one predetermined criterion as above described. In this way, WLAN APs without a good situation (like overloaded) may not be informed to the UE(s). Thus, the UE only needs to select from the priority list when offloading is needed.

[0073] In another embodiment, the WLAN AP list may comprise WLAN APs within an overlay area of the RAN node (131 or 132) together with part or all of the dynamic performance information (and optional static information) of these WLAN APs. In this embodiment, the UE itself can make decision on whether to offload and offloading to which WLAN AP.

[0074] The RAN node 131 or 132 may adjust its configuration parameters to affect one or more UEs to reselect or offload to the WLAN system. The configuration parameters may include but not limited to transmission power, working modes, etc. For example, the RAN node can enter an energy saving mode after offloading a plurality of UEs to the WLAN.

[0075] FIG. 2 illustrates an example management architecture 200 of RAN and WLAN according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 2, the network management architecture 200 also consists of three levels: a NM level, an EM level, and a NE level. In the NM level, each network (e.g., RAN and WLAN) has its own network manager, for example a NM 211 for the RAN and a NM 212 for the WLAN. The two NMs 211 and 212 are communicated with each other via an interface N2N (Itf-N2N). Each of the NMs 211 and 212 connected to its EM (221 or 222) via a northbound interface Itf-N, and each of the EMs 121 and 122 can be connected to one or more NEs of the respective networks. For example, the EM 221 of RAN is connected to RAN nodes 231 and 232, and the EM 222 of WLAN is connected to WLAN nodes 233 and 234. A WLAN node 235 may be connected to the NM 212 directly.

[0077] Similar to the architecture as shown in FIG. 1, information of a plurality of WLAN APs (233, 234, 235) is collected by the EM 222 of the WLAN or collected directly by the NM 212 of the WLAN, depending on the management architecture of the WLAN.

[0078] Reference can be made to the above description with respect to FIG. 1 where contents of the information and the ways for processing and/or transmitting the information have been detailed. Thus, the description thereof is omitted here for the sake of simplicity.

[0079] Going on with FIG.2, the NM 211 of the RAN can receive the information of the plurality WLAN APs from the NM 212 of the WLAN. Then, the NM 211 of the RAN propagates the information to the EM 221 of the RAN. The EM 221 of the RAN in turn propagates the information to its RAN nodes 231 and 232. The RAN nodes 231 and 232 can use this information to support their offloading to WLAN.

[0080] As compared with FIG. 1 , it can be seen that the only difference is that each of the RAN and the WLAN has its own NM, i.e., the NM 211 for the RAN and the NM 212 for the WLAN, and thus the information of the plurality WLAN APs will be transferred from the NM 212 of the WLAN to the NM 211 of the RAN via the Itf-N2N.

[0081] FIG. 3 illustrates an example management architecture 300 of RAN and WLAN according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] Different from the architectures 100 and 200 as shown in FIGs. 1-2, in the architecture 300 of FIG. 3, only two levels are involved in the information transmission for supporting e.g., offloading from the RAN to the WLAN.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 3, the network management architecture 300 consists of two levels: an EM level and a NE level. In the EM level, each network (e.g., RAN and WLAN) has its own element manager for example an EM 321 for the RAN and an EM 322 for the WLAN. The two EMs 321 and 322 are communicated with each other via an interface P2P (Itf-P2P). Each of the EMs 321 and 322 can be connected to one or more NEs of the respective networks. For example, the EM 321 of RAN is connected to RAN nodes 331 and 332, and the EM 322 of WLAN is connected to WLAN nodes 333 and 334.

[0084] Information of a plurality of WLAN APs (333, 334) is collected by the EM

322 of the WLAN. Then, the EM 322 of the WLAN can transfer the information to the EM 321 of the RAN via the Itf-P2P. The EM 321 of the RAN in turn propagates the information to its RAN nodes 231 and 232. The RAN nodes 231 and 232 can use this information to support their offloading to WLAN.

[0085] Reference can be made to the above description with respect to FIG. 1 where contents of the information and the ways for processing and/or transmitting the information have been detailed. Thus, the description thereof is omitted here for the sake of simplicity.

[0086] As compared with FIG. 1 or 2, it can be seen that the difference is that the information of the plurality WLAN APs is transferred directly at the EM level via the Itf-P2P and there is no need for a NM to be involved in.

[0087] FIG. 4 illustrates an example management architecture 400 of RAN and WLAN according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 4, the network management architecture 400 also consists of two levels: an EM level and a NE level. In the EM level, a centralized EM 420 (i.e., for both the RAN and the WLAN) is provided to manage one or more nodes of the RAN and the WLAN, for example the RAN node 431 and the WLAN node 432.

[0089] With this architecture 400, information of a plurality of WLAN APs (432) is collected by the centralized EM 420. Then, the centralized EM 420 propagates the information to its RAN node 431. The RAN node 431 can use this information to support its offloading to WLAN.

[0090] As compared with FIG. 3, it can be seen that a centralized EM 420 has taken the place of the two EMs 321 and 322. Still, there is o need for a NM to be involved in.

[0091] Embodiments of the present invention thus have been described with reference to various network management architectures. The proposed solutions have provided methods for a NE (e.g., eNB, RNC) of a first communication network (e.g., RAN) to obtain information about a second communication network (e.g., WLAN). Such information may be used to support e.g. offloading from the first communication network to the second communication network. The information may comprise static information and/or dynamic performance information of the plurality of WLAN APs. Hence, it is possible to improve the communication quality by influencing the selection process of an access point of the second communication network, such as a WLAN AP, for offloading from the first communication network. Thereby, the user can be provided with reliable services based on information (especially the dynamic performance information) from the WLAN.

[0092] FIG. 5 shows a flowchart illustrating a method executed in a network manager

(NM) of a first communication network according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0093] In step S510, the NM of the first communication network (e.g., RAN) receives information of a plurality of network access elements of a second communication network, such as WLAN APs. The information may comprise original information collected (e.g., via NM and/or EM of the second communication network) from the plurality of network access elements of the second communication network and/or a first list of available network access elements of the second communication network generated from the original information by using at least one predetermined criterion.

[0094] Then, in an optional step S520, the NM of the RAN may process the received information to generate a second list by using at least one predetermined criterion. The processing may refer to the information processing as described with respect to FIG. 1.

[0095] In step S530, the NM of the RAN may cause, via an element manager (EM) of the first communication network, transmission of the information or the generated second list to a network element (NE) of the first communication network for supporting offloading to the second communication network.

[0096] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart illustrating a method executed in an element manager (EM) of a first communication network according to some embodiments of the present invention. [0097] In step S 10, the EM of the first communication network (e.g., RAN) receives information of a plurality of network access elements of a second communication network, such as WLAN APs. The information may comprise original information collected (e.g., via NM and/or EM of the second communication network) from the plurality of network access elements of the second communication network and/or a first list of available network access elements of the second communication network generated from the original information by using at least one predetermined criterion.

[0098] Then, in an optional step S620, the EM of the RAN may process the received information to generate a second list by using at least one predetermined criterion. The processing may refer to the information processing as described with respect to FIG. 1.

[0099] In step S630, the EM of the RAN may transmit the information or the generated second list to a network element (NE) of the first communication network for supporting offloading to the second communication network

[00100] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart illustrating a method executed in a network element (NE, e.g., eNB, RNC) of a first communication network according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[00101] In step S710, the NE of the first communication network (e.g., RAN) receives, from an element manager (EM) of the first communication network, information of a plurality of network access elements of a second communication network, such as WLAN APs. The information may comprise original information collected (e.g., via NM and/or EM of the second communication network) from the plurality of network access elements of the second communication network and/or a first list of available network access elements of the second communication network generated from the original information by using at least one predetermined criterion.

[00102] Then, in an optional step S720, the NE of the RAN may process the received information to generate a second list by using at least one predetermined criterion. The processing may refer to the information processing as described with respect to FIG. 1.

[00103] Based on the received information, the NE of the RAN may perform operations accordingly.

[00104] In an optional step S730, the NE of the RAN may send to one or more of its user equipments (UE) a network access element list obtained from said information for supporting offloading to the second communication network. The network access element list may be a priority list of available network access elements of the second communication network, which is obtained directly from the received information (for example, the first list) or generated based on the infonnation by using at least one predetermined criterion. Additionally or alternatively, the network access element list comprises network access elements within an overlay area of the network element and the performance infonnation thereof.

[00105] In an option step S740, the NE of the RAN may adjust its configuration parameters to affect one or more UEs reselecting or offloading to the second communication network. It is to be noted that, the step S740 may occur prior to/after/concurrently with the step S730.

[00106] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart illustrating a method executed in a management element (NM or EM) of a second communication network according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[00107] In step S810, the management element (e.g., a NM or EM) of the second communication network (e.g., WLAN) collects or receives infomiation of a plurality of network access elements of the second communication network, such as WLAN APs. The information may comprise original infomiation collected (e.g., via NM and/or EM of the second communication network) from the plurality of network access elements of the second communication network and/or a first list of available network access elements of the second communication network generated from the original infomiation by using at least one predetermined criterion.

[00108] Then, in an optional step S820, the NM or EM of the WLAN may process the received infomiation to generate a second list by using at least one predetermined criterion. The processing may refer to the infomiation processing as described with respect to FIG. 1.

[00109] In step S830, the NM or EM of the WLAN may transmit the received infonnation or processed information to a network manager (NM), an element manager (EM) or a network element (NE) of the first communication network.

[00110] FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus 900 that may be configured to practice example embodiments of the present invention.

[00111] As shown in FIG. 9, the apparatus 900 may comprise an interface module 901, e.g., an Itf-N or Itf-P2P or Itf-N2N; at least one processor 902; and at least one memory 903 including computer program codes 904. The at least one memory and the computer program codes can be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform the mechanisms as illustrated with reference to FIGs. 1 -4. It is to be noted that the apparatus 900 shown in FIG. 9 may comprise several further elements of functions besides those described therein below, which are omitted herein for the sake of simplicity as they are not essential for understanding the invention. [00112] The apparatus 900 may be configured as respective entities in the network management architectures 100-400 to perform the above described mechanisms.

[00113] Specifically, in one implementation, the apparatus 900 may be configured as a NM of the first communication network (e.g., RAN) or as a centralized NM of both the first communication network and the second communication network (e.g., WLAN).

[00114] In this implementation, the apparatus 900 may be caused to perform operations of the centralized NM 110 (FIG. 1) or the NM 211 (FIG. 2). For example, the processor 902 comprises a first portion which is configured to receive information of a plurality of a plurality of WLAN APs from a NM (e.g., NM 212 in FIG. 2) or an EM (e.g., EM 122 in FIG. 1) of the second communication network. The receiving may be performed periodically or triggered by an event. Furthermore, the processor 902 may comprise a second portion which is configured to process the received information to generate a list of WLAN APs by using at least one predetermined criterion. For example, the second portion may be configured to perform the information processing as described with respect to FIG. 1. In addition, the processor 902 may comprise a third portion which is configured to transmit or cause transmission of the infomiation and/or the generated list to a NE of the first communication network via an EM of the first communication network.

[00115] In another implementation, the apparatus 900 may be configured as an EM of the first communication network (e.g., RAN) or as a centralized EM of both the first communication network and the second communication network (e.g., WLAN).

[00116] In this implementation, the apparatus 900 may be caused to perform operations of the EM of the RAN (e.g., the EM 121 in FIG. 1, the EM 221 in FIG. 2 or the EM 321 in FIG. 3) or the centralized EM 420 (FIG. 4). For example, the processor 902 comprises a first portion which is configured to receive information of a plurality of WLAN APs from a NM (e.g., the centralized NM 110 in FIG. 1 or the NM 211 of the RAN in FIG. 2) or from an EM of WLAN (e.g., the EM 322 in FIG. 3) or directly from the plurality of WLAN APs (e.g., the WLAN node 432 in FIG. 4). The receiving may be performed periodically or triggered by an event. Furthermore, the processor 902 may comprise a second portion which is configured to process the received information to generate a list of WLAN APs by using at least one predetermined criterion. For example, the second portion may be configured to perform the information processing as described with respect to FIG. 1. In addition, the processor 902 may comprise a third portion which is configured to transmit or cause transmission of the infomiation and/or the generated list to a NE of the first communication network.

[00117] In yet another implementation, the apparatus 900 may be configured as a NE of the first communication network (e.g., RAN).

[00118] In this implementation, the apparatus 900 may be caused to perform operations of the NE of the RAN (e.g., the RAN nodes 131, 132, 231 , 232, 331 , 332, or 431 in FIGs. 1-4). For example, the processor 902 comprises a first portion which is configured to receive inforaiation of a plurality of WLAN APs from an EM (e.g., the EM 121, 221 or 321 of the RAN in FIGs. 1-3 or the centralized EM 420 in FIG. 4). The receiving may be performed periodically or triggered by an event. Furthermore, the processor 902 may comprise a second portion which is configured to process the received information to generate a list of WLAN APs by using at least one predetermined criterion. For example, the second portion may be configured to perform the information processing as described with respect to FIG. 1. In addition, the processor 902 may comprise a third portion which is configured to transmit or cause transmission of the information and/or the generated list to one or more UEs of the RAN for supporting offloading to the WLAN. Further, the processor 902 may comprise a fourth portion which is configured to adjust configuration parameters to affect one or more UEs reselecting or offloading to the WLAN.

[00119] In a further implementation, the apparatus 900 may be configured as a management element of the second communication network (e.g., WLAN). The management element may be a NM (either centralized or distributed) or an EM (either centralized or distributed) of the second communication network.

[00120] In this implementation, the apparatus 900 may be caused to perform operations of the NM of the WLAN (e.g., the centralized NM 110 in FIG. 1, or the NM 212 of the WLAN in FIG.2) or the EM of the WLAN (e.g., the EM 122, 222, 322, or 420 in FIGs. 1-4). For example, the processor 902 comprises a first portion which is configured to receive or collect information of a plurality of WLAN APs directly from the plurality of WLAN APs or via an access controller (AC) or via an EM of WLAN. The receiving may be performed periodically or triggered by an event. Furthermore, the processor 902 may comprise a second portion which is configured to process the received inforaiation to generate a list of WLAN APs by using at least one predetermined criterion. For example, the second portion may be configured to perform the inforaiation processing as described with respect to FIG. 1. In addition, the processor 902 may comprise a third portion which is configured to transmit or cause transmission of the information and/or the generated list to a management element of the first communication network. The management element of the first communication network may be the NM or EM of the RAN. In a case where the apparatus 900 is configured as a centralized EM (e.g., the EM 420 in FIG. 4), the third portion of the processor 902 may be configured to transmit or cause transmission of the information and/or the generated list directly to a NE of the first communication network.

[00121] Embodiments of the present invention have also provided apparatuses comprising means for performing each step as illustrated in conjunction with FIGs. 1-8. Therefore, for detailed operations of respective means in these apparatuses, please refer to the previous descriptions of the methods of the present invention with reference to FIGs. 1-8.

[00122] The present invention also provided a computer-readable storage media having computer program code stored thereon, the computer program code configured to, when executed, cause an apparatus to perform actions in the method as described hereinbefore. Further, there is provided a computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage media as provided in the present invention.

[00123] Example embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of methods, apparatuses (i.e., systems). It will be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, respectively, can be implemented by various means including computer program instructions.

These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.

[00124] The foregoing computer program instructions can be, for example, sub-routines and/or functions. A computer program product in one embodiment of the invention comprises at least one computer readable storage medium, on which the foregoing computer program instructions are stored. The computer readable storage medium can be, for example, an optical compact disk or an electronic memory device like a RAM (random access memory) or a ROM (read only memory).

[00125] While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any implementation or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments of particular implementations. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub- combination.

[00126] It should also be noted that the above described embodiments are given for describing rather than limiting the invention, and it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as those skilled in the art readily understand. Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of the invention and the appended claims. The protection scope of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims. In addition, any of the reference numerals in the claims should not be interpreted as a limitation to the claims. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The indefinite article "a" or "an" preceding an element or step does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements or steps.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for use by a network manager (NM) of a first communication network, comprising:

receiving information of a plurality of network access elements of a second communication network; and

causing, via an element manager (EM) of the first communication network, transmission of said infomiation to a network element (NE) of the first communication network for supporting offloading to the second communication network.

2. A method for use by an element manager (EM) of a first communication network, comprising:

transmitting said information to a network element (NE) of the first communication network for supporting offloading to the second communication network.

3. The method of any of claims 1-2, wherein the information comprises static infomiation and dynamic performance information related to each of the plurality of network access elements of the second communication network, and the dynamic performance information comprises performance measurement results at the respective network access elements.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said receiving is performed periodically or triggered by an event.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein said performance measurement results comprise at least one of:

a load situation of the corresponding network access element;

an interference level of the corresponding network access element; and

a service situation of the respective network access element,

6. The method of claim 3, wherein said static information related to each network access elements of the second communication network comprises at least one of: an identification of the corresponding network access element;

a location of the corresponding network access element; and

an overlaying relation with the network element of the first communication network.

7. The method of any of claims 1-2, wherein said information comprises original infomiation collected from the plurality of network access elements of the second communication network and/or a first list of available network access elements of the second communication network generated from the original infomiation by using at least one predetermined criterion, and said method further comprises:

before transmitting said information, processing said infomiation to generate a second list by using at least one predetermined criterion; and

transmitting said second list.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the at least one predetermined criterion is selected from a group consisted of:

a load situation of the respective network access element;

an interference level of the respective network access element;

a quality of a communication to be conducted via the respective network access element; a location of the respective network access element;

a service situation of the respective network access element;

charging rules of the respective network access element; and

a proprietor of the respective network access element.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said information is received from an element manager (EM) or a network manager (NM) of the second communication network.

10. A method for use by a network element (NE) of a first communication network, comprising:

receiving, from an element manager (EM) of the first communication network, infomiation of a plurality of network access elements of a second communication network; and performing at least one of:

adjusting configuration parameters based on the infomiation; and

sending to one or more of its user equipments (UE) a network access element list obtained from said information for supporting offloading to the second communication network.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said network access element list is a priority list of available network access elements of the second communication network, which is obtained directly from said infonriation or generated based on said infonriation by using at least one predetermined criterion.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said network access element list comprises network access elements within an overlay area of said network element and the perfonnance infonriation thereof.

13. The method of any of claims 10-12, wherein said adjusting configuration parameters further comprising:

adjusting at least one of transmission power and working mode to affect one or more UEs reselecting or offloading to the second communication network.

14. An apparatus for use by a network manager (NM) of a first communication network, comprising:

at least one processor, and

at least one memory including computer program code,

wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the network manager at least to perfonri:

receiving infonriation of a plurality of network access elements of a second communication network; and

causing, via an element manager (EM) of the first communication network, transmission of said infonnation to a network element (NE) of the first communication network for supporting offloading to the second communication network.

15. An apparatus for use by an element manager (EM) of a first communication network, comprising:

at least one processor, and

at least one memory including computer program code,

wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the element manager at least to perfonri: receiving infonnation of a plurality of network access elements of a second communication network; and

transmitting said infonnation to a network element (NE) of the first communication network for supporting offloading to the second communication network.

16. The apparatus of any of claims 14-15, wherein the infonnation comprises static infonnation and dynamic perfonnance infonnation related to each of the plurality of network access elements of the second communication network, and the dynamic performance information comprises perfonnance measurement results at the respective network access elements.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said information is received periodically or triggered by an event.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said perfonnance measurement results comprise at least one of:

a load situation of the corresponding network access element;

an interference level of the corresponding network access element; and

a service situation of the respective network access element.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said static information related to each network access elements of the second communication network comprises at least one of:

an identification of the conesponding network access element;

a location of the conesponding network access element; and

20. The apparatus of any of claims 14-15, wherein said infonnation comprises original infonnation collected from the plurality of network access elements of the second communication network and/or a first priority list of available network access elements of the second communication network generated from the original information by using at least one predetennined criterion, and said apparatus is further caused to perfonn:

before transmitting said infonnation, processing said infonnation to generate a second priority list by using at least one predetennined criterion; and

transmitting said second priority list.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the at least one predetermined criterion is selected from a group consisted of:

a load situation of the respective network access element;

an interference level of the respective network access element;

a service situation of the respective network access element;

charging rules of the respective network access element; and

a proprietor of the respective network access element.

22. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said information is received from an element manager (EM) or a network manager (NM) of the second communication network.

23. An apparatus for use by a network element (NE) of a first communication network, comprising:

at least one processor, and

at least one memory including computer program code,

wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the network element at least to perform:

receiving, from an element manager (EM) of the first communication network, information of a plurality of network access elements of a second communication network; and performing at least one of:

adjusting configuration parameters based on the information; and

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said network access element list is a priority list of available network access elements of the second communication network, which is obtained directly from said information or generated based on said information by using at least one predetermined criterion.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said network access element list comprises network access elements within an overlay area of said network element and the performance information thereof.

26. The apparatus of any of claims 23-25, wherein said adjusting configuration parameters further comprising:

27. A method for supporting offloading from a first communication network to a second communication network, comprising, at a management element of the second communication network:

collecting information of a plurality of network access elements of the second communication network; and

transmitting said information to a network manager (NM), an element manager (EM) or a network element (NE) of the first communication network.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said management element is an element manager (EM) or a network manager (NM) of the second communication network.

29. An apparatus for supporting offloading from a first communication network to a second communication network, implemented at a management element of the second communication network, comprising:

at least one processor, and

at least one memory including computer program code,

wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform:

collecting information of a plurality of network access elements of the second coirnnunication network; and

30. An apparatus for use by a network manager (NM) of a first communication network, comprising:

means for receiving information of a plurality of network access elements of a second communication network; and

means for causing, via an element manager (EM) of the first communication network, transmission of said information to a network element (NE) of the first communication network for supporting offloading to the second communication network.

31. An apparatus for use by an element manager (EM) of a first communication network, comprising:

means for transmitting said information to a network element (NE) of the first communication network for supporting offloading to the second communication network.

32. An apparatus for use by a network element (NE) of a first communication network, comprising:

means for receiving, from an element manager (EM) of the first communication network, information of a plurality of network access elements of a second communication network; and means for performing at least one of: adjusting configuration parameters based on said information; and sending to one or more of its user equipments (UE) a network access element list obtained from said information for supporting offloading to the second communication network.

33. An apparatus for supporting offloading from a first communication network to a second communication network, implemented at a management element of the second communication network, comprising:

means for collecting information of a plurality of network access elements of the second communication network; and

means for transmitting said information to a network manager (NM), an element manager (EM) or a network element (NE) of the first communication network.

34. A computer-readable storage media having computer program code stored thereon, the computer program code configured to, when executed, cause an apparatus to perioral actions in the method according to any of Claims 1 to 13 and Claims 27-28.

35. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage media according to Claim 34.