Apparatus and method for transmitting wireless LAN information in mobile communication network for wireless LAN interworking

• US 20060034236A1
• Filed: 08/12/2005
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Jeong, Kyeong-In, Lee, Kook-Heui
• Granted Patent: US 7,706,841 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/28 using beam steering
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/10 using broadcasted information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

An apparatus and a method are provided for transmitting wireless local area network (WLAN) information in a mobile communication network for WLAN-interworking. The method includes the steps of setting a WLAN threshold value, which is used for determining if a WLAN area is present in a cell, and a measurement period in system information, broadcasting the system information in the cell, and transmitting a common pilot channel, which indicates that the WLAN area is present in the cell, in a predetermined direction with predetermined transmission power to cover the WLAN area by using beam forming.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting wireless local area network (WLAN) information in a mobile communication network for WLAN-interworking, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing a WLAN threshold value for determining if a WLAN area is present in a cell, and a measurement period in system information;

broadcasting the system information in the cell; and

transmitting a common pilot channel, which indicates that the WLAN area is present in the cell, in a predetermined direction with predetermined transmission power to cover the WLAN area by using beam forming.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system information comprises:

code information of the common pilot channel through which a WLAN scanning indication is transmitted and a measurement period of the common pilot channel.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system information comprises:

detailed information of the WLAN area comprising frequency information and an identifier of the WLAN area and a system identifier.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

transmitting detailed information of the WLAN area comprising frequency information and an identifier of the WLAN area and a system identifier in a predetermined direction with predetermined transmission power to cover the WLAN area by using beam forming.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the system information comprises:

code information of a channel for carrying the detailed information of the WLAN area.

6. A method for transmitting wireless local area network (WLAN) information in a mobile communication network for WLAN-interworking, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing a WLAN threshold value for determining if a WLAN area is present in a cell in system information;

broadcasting the system information in the cell; and

transmitting a common pilot channel, which indicates that the WLAN area is present in the cell, with predetermined transmission power to cover the WLAN area.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the system information comprises:

code information of the common pilot channel through which a WLAN scanning indication is transmitted and a measurement period of the common pilot channel.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the system information comprises detailed information of the WLAN area comprising:

frequency information and an identifier of the WLAN area and a system identifier.

9. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a step of:

transmitting detailed information of the WLAN area comprising frequency information and an identifier of the WLAN area and a system identifier with predetermined transmission power to cover the WLAN area by using beam forming.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the system information comprises:

code information of a channel for carrying the detailed information of the WLAN area.

11. A method for transmitting wireless local area network (WLAN) information in a mobile communication network for WLAN-interworking, the method comprising the steps of:

determining whether a WLAN area present in a cell has a directional characteristic and a radius characteristic relative to a base station (node B) provided in the cell;

establishing a WLAN scan indication, which indicates that the WLAN area is present in the cell, in the system information if the WLAN area has no directional characteristic and radius characteristic; and

broadcasting the system information in the cell.

12. A method for transmitting wireless local area network (WLAN) information in a mobile communication network for WLAN-interworking, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving system information broadcasted in a cell and determining whether the system information includes a WLAN threshold value for determining if a WLAN area is present in the cell, as well as code information and a measurement period of a second common pilot channel;

measuring a first common pilot channel and determining whether a measurement result of the first common pilot channel exceeds the WLAN threshold value if the system information includes the WLAN threshold value only;

measuring the second common pilot channel and determining whether a measurement result of the second common pilot channel exceeds the WLAN threshold value if the system information includes all of the code information and the measurement period of the second pilot channel and the WLAN threshold value; and

initiating a WLAN scan if the measurement result of the first common pilot channel or the second common pilot channel exceeds the WLAN threshold value.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether the system information includes a WLAN scan indication, which indicates that the WLAN area is present in the cell, and

initiating the WLAN scan if the system information includes the WLAN scan indication.

14. An apparatus for transceiving wireless local area network (WLAN) information in a mobile communication network for WLAN-interworking, the apparatus comprising:

a radio network controller for establishing a WLAN threshold value for determining if a WLAN area is present in a cell and a measurement period in system information, broadcasting the system information in the cell, and transmitting a common pilot channel, which indicates that the WLAN area is present in the cell, in a predetermined direction with predetermined transmission power to cover the WLAN area by using beam forming; and

a terminal for receiving the system information, determining whether the system information includes the WLAN threshold value as well as code information and a measurement period of the common pilot channel, measuring the common pilot channel, determining whether a measurement result of the common pilot channel exceeds the WLAN threshold value if the system information includes all of the code information and the measurement period of the second pilot channel and the WLAN threshold value, and initiating a WLAN scan if the measurement result of the common pilot channel exceeds the WLAN threshold value.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the terminal determines whether the system information includes a WLAN scan indication, which indicates that the WLAN area is present in the cell, and initiates the WLAN scan if the system information includes the WLAN scan indication.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the system information comprises:

code information of the common pilot channel through which a WLAN scanning indication is transmitted and a measurement period of the common pilot channel.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the system information comprises;

detailed information of the WLAN area including frequency information and an identifier of the WLAN area and a system identifier.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the radio network controller transmits detailed information of the WLAN area including frequency information and an identifier of the WLAN area and a system identifier in a predetermined direction with predetermined transmission power to cover the WLAN area by using beam forming.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the system information further comprises:

code information of a channel for carrying the detailed information of the WLAN area.

20. An apparatus for transceiving wireless local area network (WLAN) information in a mobile communication network for WLAN-interworking, the apparatus comprising:

a radio network controller for establishing a WLAN threshold value, which is used for determining if a WLAN area is present in a cell, in system information, broadcasting the system information in the cell, and transmitting a common pilot channel, which indicates that the WLAN area is present in the cell, in a predetermined direction with predetermined transmission power to cover the WLAN area by using beam forming; and

a terminal for receiving the system information, determining whether the system information comprises the WLAN threshold value as well as code information and a measurement period of a second common pilot channel, measuring a first common pilot channel for distinguishing the cell, if the system information comprises the WLAN threshold value only, determining whether a measurement result of the first common pilot channel exceeds the WLAN threshold value, and initiating a WLAN scan if the measurement result of the first common pilot channel exceeds the WLAN threshold value.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the terminal determines whether the system information comprises:

a WLAN scan indication, which indicates that the WLAN area is present in the cell, and initiates the WLAN scan if the system information includes the WLAN scan indication.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the system information comprises:

code information of the common pilot channel through which a WLAN scanning indication is transmitted and a measurement period of the common pilot channel.

23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the system information comprises detailed information of the WLAN area including frequency information and an identifier of the WLAN area and a system identifier.

24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the radio network controller transmits detailed information of the WLAN area including frequency information and an identifier of the WLAN area and a system identifier in a predetermined direction with predetermined transmission power to cover the WLAN area by using beam forming.

25. The apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the system information further comprises:

code information of a channel carrying the detailed information of the WLAN area.