NETWORK-INITIATED HANDOVER IN INTEGRATED SMALL CELL AND WIFI NETWORKS

摘要

Applicants disclose an inter-system mobility anchor control point that is adapted to initiate handover of an existing communication connection in an integrated small cell and WiFi (ISW) network. The inter-system mobility anchor control point is communicatively coupled to both an HeNB/LTE network and trusted WLAN access network (TWAN) and adapted to operate as a common control plane entity for both HeNB/LTE and TWAN access. The mobility anchor control point may be, for example, a mobility management entity (MME) or an integrated small cell and WLAN gateway (ISW GW). The mobility anchor control point is adapted to request and receive measurement data relating to the operations of the HeNB network and WLAN. Based upon the measurement data, the mobility anchor control point determines whether an existing communication path via one of the HeNB/LTE network and WLAN should be handed over to the other of the networks. Upon determining a handover should be made, the mobility anchor control point coordinates the handover.