DOWNLINK WIFI CHANNEL AGGREGATION THROUGH A TUNNELING

摘要

An LTE cellular network and a WiFi network whose coverage areas overlap allow user devices accessing both networks to perform downlink channel aggregation through a tunneling feature provided by the cellular network whereby uplink information destined for the WiFi network is routed through an IP tunnel throughthe cellular network ultimately reaching the WiFi network via a common point or common network to which the WiFi and the cellular networks are connected. User devices having access to both networks are able to establish the tunnel during establishment of communications between such user devices and the WiFi network and use the tunnel as an uplink to convey information to the WiFi network,which is operated in a broadcast only mode or an ACK-less mode.