Techniques for selecting a radio access technology over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band for serving a class of traffic

A method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE) includes determining that both a cellular radio access technology (RAT) and a wireless local area network (WLAN) RAT are available over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band; obtaining measurements for at least the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT; selecting, by the UE, one of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT for a class of traffic, where the selected RAT is selected based at least in part on the measurements; and serving the class of traffic based at least in part on the selected RAT.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure, for example, relates to wireless communication systems, and more particularly techniques for selecting a radio access technology (RAT) over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band for serving a class of traffic.

Description of Related Art

A wireless multiple-access communication system may include a number of network access devices, each simultaneously supporting communication for multiple communication devices, otherwise known as user equipment (UEs). In a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) or LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network, a network access device may take the form of a base station, with a set of one or more base stations defining an eNodeB (eNB). In a next generation, 5G, or new radio (NR) network, a network access device may take the form of a smart radio head (RH) or access node controller (ANC), with a set of smart radio heads in communication with an ANC defining a gNodeB (gNB). In a wireless local area network (WLAN), a network access device may take the form of a WLAN access point. A network access device may communicate with a UE on downlink channels (e.g., for transmissions from the network access device to the UE) and uplink channels (e.g., for transmissions from the UE to the network access device).

Some modes of communication may enable communication between a network access device and a UE over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, or over different radio frequency spectrum bands (e.g., a licensed radio frequency spectrum band and an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band). With increasing data traffic in cellular networks that use a licensed radio frequency spectrum band, offloading of at least some data traffic to an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may provide a mobile network operator (or cellular operator) with opportunities for enhanced data transmission capacity. Use of an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may also provide service in areas where access to a licensed radio frequency spectrum band is unavailable.

SUMMARY

A UE may sometimes be within the coverage area of multiple network access devices, and the multiple network access devices may support wireless communication using multiple RATs. A UE may also or alternatively be within the coverage area of a network access device that, itself, supports wireless communication using multiple RATs. In either of these scenarios, the UE may sometimes select one or more of the available RATs and/or network access devices for serving a class of traffic. In some examples, the class of traffic may include a gateway connection associated with an access point name (APN), and serving the class of traffic may include initiating the gateway connection, offloading the gateway connection (e.g., from a first RAT to a second RAT), or handing over the gateway connection (e.g., from a source network access device to a target network access device). In some examples, the gateway connection may include an Internet gateway connection, a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) gateway connection, or an evolved packet data gateway (ePDG) connection. In some examples, the available RATs may include a cellular RAT and a WLAN RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, and the UE may select one of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT for serving the class of traffic. Techniques described in the present disclosure describe, for example, how the UE may determine when both the cellular RAT and the WLAN RAT are available over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, and how a network access device or other entity may influence (e.g., control) whether the UE selects the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples, a method for wireless communication at a UE is described. The method may include determining that both a cellular RAT and a WLAN RAT are available over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band; obtaining measurements for at least the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT; selecting, by the UE, one of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT for a class of traffic; and serving the class of traffic based at least in part on the selected RAT. The selected RAT may be selected based at least in part on the measurements.

In some examples of the method, the selected RAT may include the cellular RAT. In some examples, the method may include saving at least one of identifiers of network access devices that configure the UE to communicate over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based at least in part on the cellular RAT, or physical cell identities associated with the network access devices that configure the UE to communicate over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based at least in part on the cellular RAT; and identifying a network access device within range of the UE. In these examples, determining that the cellular RAT is available over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may include determining that an identifier of the network access device or a PCI associated with the network access device is saved.

In some examples, the method may include receiving, from a network access device, a measurement configuration for a predetermined radio frequency spectrum band. In these examples, the determination that the cellular RAT is available over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may be based at least in part on receiving the measurement configuration for the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band from the network access device. In some examples, the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band may include a 5 GHz radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band may include the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples of the method, determining that the cellular RAT is available over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may include receiving, in a broadcast control channel (BCCH), an indication that a network access device supports a use of the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the method may include receiving, from a network access device, an indication of at least one carrier frequency of at least one usable carrier of the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In these examples, the measurements on the cellular RAT may be obtained for the at least one usable carrier. In some examples, obtaining the measurements may include determining at least one of a reference signal received power (RSRP), a reference signal received quality (RSRQ), or a combination thereof. In some examples, the method may include selecting a WLAN channel in the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, the WLAN channel may be selected for operating a WLAN service, and the WLAN channel may be selected based at least in part on a bandwidth used for the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples, the method may include receiving system information including radio access network (RAN) rules. The RAN rules may include at least one threshold for selecting the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT based on the measurements. In these examples, the determination that the cellular RAT is available over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may be based at least in part on receiving the at least one threshold, and the selection of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT may be based at least in part on a comparison of the measurements to the at least one threshold. In some examples, the at least one threshold may be included in a cellular RAT over a licensed radio frequency spectrum band to WLAN RAT offload configuration information element (IE) of the system information, or a cellular RAT over a licensed radio frequency spectrum band to cellular RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band offload configuration IE of the system information. In some examples, the method may include receiving an access network discovery and selection function (ANDSF) management object including ANDSF rules. The ANDSF rules may include at least one threshold for selecting the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT based on the measurements. In these examples, the selection of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT may be based at least in part on a comparison of the measurements to the at least one threshold.

In some examples, the class of traffic may include a gateway connection associated with an APN, and serving the class of traffic may include at least one of initiating the gateway connection, offloading the gateway connection, or performing a handover of the gateway connection. In some examples, the method may include determining that the WLAN RAT is associated with a WLAN having a lower priority than a cellular network associated with the cellular RAT, and selecting the cellular RAT over the WLAN RAT based at least in part on the determined availability of the cellular RAT and the determined lower priority of the WLAN. In some examples, the method may include receiving, from a network access device, an indication that the WLAN is associated with the lower priority than the cellular network. In some examples, the WLAN may have the lower priority than the cellular network for the class of traffic.

In one example, an apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include means for determining that both a cellular RAT and a WLAN RAT are available over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band; means for obtaining measurements for at least the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT; means for selecting, by the UE, one of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT for a class of traffic; and means for serving the class of traffic based at least in part on the selected RAT. The selected RAT may be selected based at least in part on the measurements.

In some examples of the apparatus, the selected RAT may include the cellular RAT. In some examples, the apparatus may include means for saving at least one of identifiers of network access devices that configure the UE to communicate over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based at least in part on the cellular RAT, or physical cell identities associated with the network access devices that configure the UE to communicate over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based at least in part on the cellular RAT; and means for identifying a network access device within range of the UE. In these examples, the means for determining that the cellular RAT is available over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may include means for determining that an identifier of the network access device or a PCI associated with the network access device is saved.

In some examples, the apparatus may include means for receiving, from a network access device, a measurement configuration for a predetermined radio frequency spectrum band. In these examples, the determination that the cellular RAT is available over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may be based at least in part on receiving the measurement configuration for the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band from the network access device. In some examples, the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band may include a 5 GHz radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band may include the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples of the apparatus, the means for determining that the cellular RAT is available over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may include means for receiving, in a BCCH, an indication that a network access device supports a use of the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the apparatus may include means for receiving, from a network access device, an indication of at least one carrier frequency of at least one usable carrier of the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In these examples, the measurements on the cellular RAT may be obtained for the at least one usable carrier. In some examples, the means for obtaining the measurements may include means for determining at least one of a RSRP, a RSRQ, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the apparatus may include means for selecting a WLAN channel in the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The WLAN channel may be selected for operating a WLAN service, and the WLAN channel may be selected based at least in part on a bandwidth used for the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples, the apparatus may include means for receiving system information including RAN rules. The RAN rules may include at least one threshold for selecting the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT based on the measurements. The determination that the cellular RAT is available over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may be based at least in part on receiving the at least one threshold, and the selection of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT may be based at least in part on a comparison of the measurements to the at least one threshold. In some examples, the at least one threshold may be included in a cellular RAT over a licensed radio frequency spectrum band to WLAN RAT offload configuration IE of the system information, or a cellular RAT over a licensed radio frequency spectrum band to cellular RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band offload configuration IE of the system information. In some examples, the apparatus may include means for receiving an ANDSF management object including ANDSF rules. The ANDSF rules may include at least one threshold for selecting the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT based on the measurements. In these examples, the selection of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT may be based at least in part on a comparison of the measurements to the at least one threshold.

In some examples, the class of traffic may include a gateway connection associated with an APN, and the means for serving the class of traffic may include at least one of means for initiating the gateway connection, means for offloading the gateway connection, or means for performing a handover of the gateway connection. In some examples, the apparatus may include means for determining that the WLAN RAT is associated with a WLAN having a lower priority than a cellular network associated with the cellular RAT, and means for selecting the cellular RAT over the WLAN RAT based at least in part on the determined availability of the cellular RAT and the determined lower priority of the WLAN. In some examples, the apparatus may include means for receiving, from a network access device, an indication that the WLAN is associated with the lower priority than the cellular network. In some examples, the WLAN may have the lower priority than the cellular network for the class of traffic.

In one example, another apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to determine that both a cellular RAT and a WLAN RAT are available over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band; to obtain measurements for at least the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT; to select, by the UE, one of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT for a class of traffic; and to serve the class of traffic based at least in part on the selected RAT. The selected RAT may be selected based at least in part on the measurements.

In some examples of the apparatus, the selected RAT may include the cellular RAT. In some examples, the instructions may be executable by the processor to save at least one of identifiers of network access devices that configure the UE to communicate over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based at least in part on the cellular RAT, or physical cell identities associated with the network access devices that configure the UE to communicate over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based at least in part on the cellular RAT; and to identify a network access device within range of the UE. In these examples, determining that the cellular RAT is available over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may include determining that an identifier of the network access device or a PCI associated with the network access device is saved.

In some examples of the apparatus, the instructions may be executable by the processor to receive, from a network access device, a measurement configuration for a predetermined radio frequency spectrum band. In these examples, the determination that the cellular RAT is available over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may be based at least in part on receiving the measurement configuration for the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band from the network access device. In some examples, the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band may include a 5 GHz radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band may include the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples of the apparatus, determining that the cellular RAT is available over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may include receiving, in a BCCH, an indication that a network access device supports a use of the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the instructions may be executable by the processor to receive, from a network access device, an indication of at least one carrier frequency of at least one usable carrier of the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In these examples, the measurements on the cellular RAT may be obtained for the at least one usable carrier. In some examples, the instructions executable by the processor to obtain the measurements may include instructions executable by the processor to determine at least one of a RSRP, a RSRQ, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the instructions may be executable by the processor to select a WLAN channel in the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The WLAN channel may be selected for operating a WLAN service, and the WLAN channel may be selected based at least in part on a bandwidth used for the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples of the apparatus, the instructions may be executable by the processor to receive system information including RAN rules. The RAN rules may include at least one threshold for selecting the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT based on the measurements. In these examples, the determination that the cellular RAT is available over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may be based at least in part on receiving the at least one threshold, and the selection of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT may be based at least in part on a comparison of the measurements to the at least one threshold. In some examples, the at least one threshold may be included in a cellular RAT over a licensed radio frequency spectrum band to WLAN RAT offload configuration IE of the system information, or a cellular RAT over a licensed radio frequency spectrum band to cellular RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band offload configuration IE of the system information. In some examples, the instructions may be executable by the processor to receive an ANDSF management object including ANDSF rules. In these examples, the ANDSF rules may include at least one threshold for selecting the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT based on the measurements, and the selection of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT may be based at least in part on a comparison of the measurements to the at least one threshold.

In some examples, establishing the gateway connection may include at least one of initiating the gateway connection, offloading the gateway connection, or performing a handover of the gateway connection. In some examples, the instructions may be executable by the processor to determine that the WLAN RAT is associated with a WLAN having a lower priority than a cellular network associated with the cellular RAT, and to select the cellular RAT over the WLAN RAT based at least in part on the determined availability of the cellular RAT and the determined lower priority of the WLAN. In some examples, the the instructions may be executable by the processor to receive, from a network access device, an indication that the WLAN is associated with the lower priority than the cellular network. In some examples, the WLAN may have the lower priority than the cellular network for the class of traffic.

In one example, a computer program product is described. The computer program product may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may include instructions to determine that both a cellular RAT and a WLAN RAT are available over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band; instructions to obtain measurements for at least the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT; instructions to select, by the UE, one of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT for a class of traffic; and instructions to serve the class of traffic based at least in part on the selected RAT. The selected RAT may be selected based at least in part on the measurements.

In one example, a method for wireless communication at a network access device is described. The method may include indicating that the network access device supports a cellular RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, and communicating with at least one UE based at least in part on the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples of the method, indicating that the network access device supports the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may include transmitting a measurement configuration for a predetermined radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band may include a 5 GHz radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band may include the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, indicating that the network access device supports the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may include transmitting, in a BCCH, an indication that the network access device supports the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the method may include transmitting an indication of at least one carrier frequency of at least one usable carrier of the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the method may include indicating that a WLAN has a lower priority than a cellular network associated with the cellular RAT. In some examples, the indication that the WLAN has the lower priority than the cellular network may indicate that the WLAN has the lower priority than the cellular network for a class of traffic.

In one example, an apparatus for wireless communication at a network access device is described. The apparatus may include means for indicating that the network access device supports a cellular RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, and means for communicating with at least one UE based at least in part on the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples of the apparatus, the means for indicating that the network access device supports the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may include means for transmitting a measurement configuration for a predetermined radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band may include a 5 GHz radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band may include the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the means for indicating that the network access device supports the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may include means for transmitting, in a BCCH, an indication that the network access device supports the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the method may include means for transmitting an indication of at least one carrier frequency of at least one usable carrier of the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the apparatus may include means for indicating that a WLAN has a lower priority than a cellular network associated with the cellular RAT. In some examples, the indication that the WLAN has the lower priority than the cellular network may indicate that the WLAN has the lower priority than the cellular network for a class of traffic.

In one example, another apparatus for wireless communication at a network access device is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to indicate that the network access device supports a cellular RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, and to communicate with at least one UE based at least in part on the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples of the apparatus, indicating that the network access device supports the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may include transmitting a measurement configuration for a predetermined radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band may include a 5 GHz radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band may include the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, indicating that the network access device supports the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may include transmitting, in a BCCH, an indication that the network access device supports the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the instructions may be executable by the processor to transmit an indication of at least one carrier frequency of at least one usable carrier of the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the instructions may be executable by the processor to indicate that a WLAN has a lower priority than a cellular network associated with the cellular RAT. In some examples, the indication that the WLAN has the lower priority than the cellular network may indicate that the WLAN has the lower priority than the cellular network for a class of traffic.

In one example, a computer program product is described. The computer program product may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may include instructions to indicate that a network access device supports a cellular RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, and instructions to communicate with at least one UE based at least in part on the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Techniques are described in which an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band is used for at least a portion of communications in a wireless communication system. The unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may be used in combination with, or independent from, a licensed radio frequency spectrum band. The unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may include a radio frequency spectrum band available for Wi-Fi use, a radio frequency spectrum band available for use by different RATs, or a radio frequency spectrum band available for use by multiple mobile network operators (MNOs) in an equally shared or prioritized manner. In some examples, the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may be used for cellular communications (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) or LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) communications, Licensed Assisted Access (LAA) communications, enhanced LAA (eLAA) communications, or MuLTEFire (MF) communications) or WLAN communications. The licensed radio frequency spectrum band may include a radio frequency spectrum band licensed to particular users for particular uses. In some examples, the licensed radio frequency spectrum band may be used for cellular communications (e.g., LTE/LTE-A communications).

Some of the techniques described in the present disclosure enable a UE to determine when both a cellular RAT and a WLAN RAT are available over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, and enable the UE to select one of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT for a class of traffic. Some of the techniques described in the present disclosure enable a network access device or other entity to influence (e.g., control) when a UE selects the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. Currently, the S2b interface, for communication with an evolved packet data gateway (ePDG) over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, has gained significant market traction and is the interface of choice for offloading LTE/LTE-A gateway connections associated with APNs (e.g., a gateway connection associated with an IMS) to an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band (i.e., to a WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band). LTE/LTE-A communications (e.g., LAA communications, eLAA communications, and MF communications) over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band are now available and/or supported for establishment of gateway connections associated with APNs, and in some cases LTE/LTE-A communications over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may provide better performance than WLAN communications over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. However, current (e.g., IMS) WLAN offload/handover policies and rules do not distinguish the availability of LTE from LTE/LTE-A communications over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

For purposes of the present disclosure, a cellular RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band includes, for example, a LAA RAT, an eLAA RAT, a MF RAT, etc. for which a core network of a cellular network allows one or more gateway connections associated with an APN to be established (e.g., initiated, offloaded, or handed over) based at least in part on a RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. A WLAN RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band includes, for example, any WLAN RAT that relies on communication with an ePDG (e.g., S2a Mobility based on GTP (SaMOG) or dual stack mobile IP (DSMIP)), etc.

FIG. 1illustrates an example of a wireless communication system100, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system100may include base stations105(i.e., a type of network access device), UEs115, and a core network130. The core network130may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The base stations105may interface with the core network130through backhaul links132(e.g., S1, etc.) and may perform radio configuration and scheduling for communication with the UEs115, or may operate under the control of a base station controller (not shown). In various examples, the base stations105may communicate, either directly or indirectly (e.g., through core network130), with each other over backhaul links134(e.g., X1, etc.), which may be wired or wireless communication links.

In some examples, the wireless communication system100may include an LTE/LTE-A network. In LTE/LTE-A networks, the term evolved Node B (eNB) may be used to describe sets of one or more base stations105. In some examples, the wireless communication system100may be a Heterogeneous LTE/LTE-A network in which different types of eNBs provide coverage for various geographical regions. For example, each eNB or base station105may provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a small cell, or other types of cell. The term “cell” is a 3GPP term that can be used to describe a base station, a carrier or component carrier associated with a base station, or a coverage area (e.g., sector, etc.) of a carrier or base station, depending on context.

A macro cell may cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access by UEs with service subscriptions with the network provider. A small cell may be a lower-powered base station, as compared with a macro cell that may operate in the same or different (e.g., licensed, unlicensed, etc.) radio frequency spectrum bands as macro cells. Small cells may include pico cells, femto cells, and micro cells according to various examples. A pico cell may cover a relatively smaller geographic area and may allow unrestricted access by UEs with service subscriptions with the network provider. A femto cell also may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a home) and may provide restricted access by UEs having an association with the femto cell (e.g., UEs in a closed subscriber group (CSG), UEs for users in the home, and the like). An eNB for a macro cell may be referred to as a macro eNB. An eNB for a small cell may be referred to as a small cell eNB, a pico eNB, a femto eNB or a home eNB. An eNB may support one or multiple (e.g., two, three, four, and the like) cells (e.g., component carriers).

In some examples of the wireless communication system100, some or all of the base stations105may be replaced by one or more other type of network access device. For example, when the wireless communication system100includes a5G or new radio network, one or more of the base stations105may be replaced by a set of radio heads (e.g., smart radio heads) in communication with an access node controller (ANCs), with the ANC communicating with other ANCs and/or the core network130. When the wireless communication system100includes a WLAN, one or more of the base stations105may be replaced by a WLAN access point.

The communication links125shown in wireless communication system100may include downlinks (DLs), from a base station105to a UE115, and uplinks (ULs), from a UE115to a base station105. The downlinks may also be called forward links, while the uplinks may also be called reverse links.

In some examples, each communication link125may include one or more carriers, where each carrier may be a signal made up of multiple sub-carriers (e.g., waveform signals of different frequencies) modulated according to the various radio technologies described above. Each modulated signal may be transmitted on a different sub-carrier and may carry control information (e.g., reference signals, control channels, etc.), overhead information, user data, etc. The communication links125may transmit bidirectional communications using a frequency domain duplexing (FDD) operation (e.g., using paired spectrum resources) or a time domain duplexing (TDD) operation (e.g., using unpaired spectrum resources). Frame structures for FDD operation (e.g., frame structure type 1) and TDD operation (e.g., frame structure type 2) may be defined.

In some examples of the wireless communication system100, base stations105or UEs115may include multiple antennas for employing antenna diversity schemes to improve communication quality and reliability between base stations105and UEs115. Additionally or alternatively, base stations105or UEs115may employ multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) techniques that may take advantage of multi-path environments to transmit multiple spatial layers carrying the same or different coded data.

In some examples, the wireless communication system100may support operation over a licensed radio frequency spectrum band (e.g., a radio frequency spectrum band licensed to particular users for particular uses) or an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band (e.g., a radio frequency spectrum band that is available for Wi-Fi use, a radio frequency spectrum band that is available for use by different radio access technologies, or a radio frequency spectrum band that is available for use by multiple MNOs in an equally shared or prioritized manner).

Before transmitting over a channel (or cell) of an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, a UE115may contend for access to the channel using a LBT procedure. Depending on the outcome of the LBT procedure, the UE115may or may not be able to transmit over the channel. When the UE115determines the channel may be used (e.g., when the UE115determines the energy on the channel is below a threshold and “clear”), the UE115may transmit over the channel. In some examples, the UE115may transmit over the channel using one or more of a plurality of resource interlaces. A resource interlace may include a plurality of frequency resources (e.g., RBs or tones) that are interleaved with (or separated by) one or more other RBs or tones. The frequency resources of a resource interlace may be evenly or unevenly distributed over a transmission bandwidth. In some examples, a 20 MHz or 10 MHz transmission bandwidth (or cell) may include a plurality of resource interlaces having 10 RBs each, with the 10 RBs distributed evenly over the 20 MHz or 10 MHz transmission bandwidth (i.e., at regularly spaced frequency intervals). In other examples, a 5 MHz transmission bandwidth (or cell) may include a plurality of resource interlaces having 5 RBs each, with the 5 RBs distributed evenly over the 5 MHz transmission bandwidth.

In some examples, the wireless communication system100may support operation on multiple cells or carriers, a feature which may be referred to as carrier aggregation (CA), or dual-connectivity operation. A carrier may also be referred to as a component carrier (CC), a layer, a channel, etc. The terms “carrier,” “component carrier,” “cell,” and “channel” may be used interchangeably herein. Carrier aggregation may be used with both FDD and TDD component carriers. A CC may be established in a licensed radio frequency spectrum band or an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, CCs may be aggregated within a licensed radio frequency spectrum band or an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, but not both. In other examples, one or more CCs from a licensed radio frequency spectrum band and one or more CCs from an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may be aggregated.

In an LTE/LTE-A network, a UE115may be configured to communicate using several CCs when operating in a carrier aggregation mode or dual-connectivity mode. One or more of the CCs may be configured as a DL CC, and one or more of the CCs may be configured as a UL CC. Also, one of the CCs allocated to a UE115may be configured as a primary CC (PCC), and the remaining CCs allocated to the UE115may be configured as secondary CCs (SCCs).

In some examples, the wireless communication system100may include a cellular network (e.g., a LTE/LTE-A network) and a WLAN network. Network access devices (e.g., base stations105) of the cellular network and network access devices (e.g., WLAN access points) of the WLAN network may have overlapping coverage areas. The overlapping coverage areas of the cellular and WLAN networks may provide UEs115with opportunities to communicate over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band using a cellular RAT or a WLAN RAT. In some examples, a network access device (e.g., a base station105) of the cellular network may broadcast its support of a cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In other examples, a UE115may infer that a network access device of the cellular network supports a cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, a UE115may be preconfigured with, or may receive via a network access device or other entity, rules that influence (e.g., control) when the UE115selects the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT for communicating over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

FIG. 2shows a wireless communication system200in which a wireless communication technology may be deployed under different scenarios using an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. More specifically,FIG. 2illustrates examples of a supplemental downlink mode (e.g., a LAA mode), a carrier aggregation mode (e.g., an eLAA mode), and a standalone mode (e.g., a MF mode), in which LTE/LTE-A is deployed using an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The wireless communication system200may be an example of portions of the wireless communication system100described with reference toFIG. 1. Moreover, a first base station205and a second base station205-amay be examples of aspects of one or more of the base stations105described with reference toFIG. 1, while a first UE215, a second UE215-a,and a third UE215-bmay be examples of aspects of one or more of the UEs115described with reference toFIG. 1.

In the example of the supplemental downlink mode (e.g., the LAA mode) in the wireless communication system200, the first base station205may transmit OFDMA waveforms to the first UE215using a downlink channel220. The downlink channel220may be associated with a frequency F1in an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The first base station205may transmit OFDMA waveforms to the first UE215using a first bidirectional link225and may receive SC-FDMA waveforms from the first UE215using the first bidirectional link225. The first bidirectional link225may be associated with a frequency F4in a licensed radio frequency spectrum band. The downlink channel220in the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band and the first bidirectional link225in the licensed radio frequency spectrum band may operate contemporaneously. The downlink channel220may provide a downlink capacity offload for the first base station205. In some examples, the downlink channel220may be used for unicast services (e.g., addressed to one UE) or for multicast services (e.g., addressed to several UEs). This scenario may occur with any service provider (e.g., a MNO) that uses a licensed radio frequency spectrum band and needs to relieve some of the traffic or signaling congestion.

In the example of the carrier aggregation mode (e.g., the eLAA mode) in the wireless communication system200, the first base station205may transmit OFDMA waveforms to the second UE215-ausing a second bidirectional link230and may receive OFDMA waveforms, SC-FDMA waveforms, or resource block interleaved FDMA waveforms from the second UE215-ausing the second bidirectional link230. The second bidirectional link230may be associated with the frequency Fl in the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The first base station205may also transmit OFDMA waveforms to the second UE215-ausing a third bidirectional link235and may receive SC-FDMA waveforms from the second UE215-ausing the third bidirectional link235. The third bidirectional link235may be associated with a frequency F2in a licensed radio frequency spectrum band. The third bidirectional link235may provide a downlink and uplink capacity offload for the first base station205. Like the supplemental downlink mode (e.g., the LAA mode) described above, this scenario may occur with any service provider (e.g., MNO) that uses a licensed radio frequency spectrum band and needs to relieve some of the traffic or signaling congestion.

As described above, one type of service provider that may benefit from the capacity offload offered by using LTE/LTE-A in an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band is a traditional MNO having access rights to an LTE/LTE-A licensed radio frequency spectrum band. For these service providers, an operational example may include a bootstrapped mode (e.g., supplemental downlink, carrier aggregation) that uses the LTE/LTE-A primary component carrier (PCC) on the licensed radio frequency spectrum band and at least one secondary component carrier (SCC) on the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In the carrier aggregation mode, data and control may, for example, be communicated in the licensed radio frequency spectrum band (e.g., via the third bidirectional link235) while data may, for example, be communicated in the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band (e.g., via second bidirectional link230). The carrier aggregation mechanisms supported when using an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may fall under a hybrid frequency division duplexing-time division duplexing (FDD-TDD) carrier aggregation or a TDD-TDD carrier aggregation with different symmetry across component carriers.

In one example of a standalone mode in the wireless communication system200, the second base station205-amay transmit OFDMA waveforms to the third UE215-busing a bidirectional link245and may receive OFDMA waveforms, SC-FDMA waveforms, or resource block interleaved FDMA waveforms from the third UE215-busing the bidirectional link245. The bidirectional link245may be associated with the frequency F3in the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The standalone mode may be used in non-traditional wireless access scenarios, such as in-stadium access (e.g., unicast, multicast). An example of a type of service provider for this mode of operation may be a stadium owner, cable company, event host, hotel, enterprise, or large corporation that does not have access to a licensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples of the wireless communication system200, the first UE215, the second UE215-a,or the third UE215-bmay determine that the first base station205or second base station205-asupports a cellular RAT (e.g., LAA mode, eLAA mode, or MF mode) over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band inferentially. For example, a UE may infer that a base station supports a cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band because the UE was previously configured, by the base station, to communicate over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band using the cellular RAT. A UE may also infer that a base station supports a cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band because the UE receives, from (or for) the network access device, a measurement configuration for a predetermined radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band may include a 5 GHz radio frequency spectrum band and/or part or all of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples of the wireless communication system200, the first UE215, the second UE215-a,or the third UE215-bmay be influenced (e.g., controlled) by the first base station205, the second base station205-a,another entity, or pre-configuration information to select a cellular RAT for communication over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. For example, a UE may obtain (e.g., perform or receive) measurements for the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, or for carriers used by the cellular RAT in the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, and may compare the measurements to one or more preconfigured or received thresholds to determine whether the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band should be selected for wireless communication.

In some examples, a transmitting apparatus such as one of the base stations described with reference toFIG. 1 or 2, or one of the UEs described with reference toFIG. 1 or 2, may use a gating interval to gain access to a wireless channel of an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band (e.g., to a physical channel of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band). In some examples, the gating interval may be synchronous and periodic. For example, the periodic gating interval may be synchronized with at least one boundary of an LTE/LTE-A radio interval. In other examples, the gating interval may be asynchronous. The gating interval may define the application of a sharing protocol, such as an LBT protocol based on the LBT protocol specified in European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) (EN 301 893). When using a gating interval that defines the application of an LBT protocol, the gating interval may indicate when a transmitting apparatus needs to perform a contention procedure (e.g., an LBT procedure) such as a clear channel assessment (CCA) procedure or an extended CCA (ECCA) procedure. The outcome of the CCA procedure or ECCA procedure may indicate to the transmitting apparatus whether a wireless channel of an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band is available or in use for the gating interval (e.g., an LBT radio frame or transmission burst). When a CCA procedure or ECCA procedure indicates the wireless channel is available for a corresponding LBT radio frame or transmission burst (e.g., “clear” for use), the transmitting apparatus may reserve or use the wireless channel of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band during part or all of the LBT radio frame. When a CCA procedure or ECCA procedure indicates the wireless channel is not available (e.g., that the wireless channel is in use or reserved by another transmitting apparatus), the transmitting apparatus may be prevented from using the wireless channel during the LBT radio frame. In some examples, a transmitting apparatus may need to perform a CCA procedure or ECCA procedure for some but not other wireless channels in an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

FIG. 3shows a wireless communication system300in which both a cellular RAT and a WLAN RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band are available to a UE315, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system300may include a base station305, an WLAN access point335, and a UE315. The base station305and UE315may be examples of aspects of the base stations105and UEs115described with reference toFIG. 1.

The base station305may support a cellular RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, and in some examples may also support a cellular RAT over a licensed radio frequency spectrum band, within a coverage area310. In an alternative configuration, the base station305may support the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band and the cellular RAT over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band within different coverage areas. The WLAN access point335may support a WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may be supported within a coverage area320. In some examples, the UE315may be within both of the coverage areas310and320.

In some examples of the wireless communication system300, a gateway connection associated with an APN may be established over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band. For example, a gateway connection may be established based at least in part on the cellular RAT (e.g., a voice over LTE (VoLTE) RAT) over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band. A gateway connection established over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band may have a higher quality than a gateway connection established over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. However, some operators may desire to establish (e.g., initiate, offload, or handover) a gateway connection over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. For example, an operator may establish a gateway connection based at least in part on the cellular RAT (e.g., a LTE RAT based at least in part on eLAA, etc.) or the WLAN RAT (e.g., a VoWLAN RAT using ePDG, etc.) over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

Some operators may desire to establish a gateway connection based at least in part on the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, instead of the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, because Quality of Service (QoS) for the cellular RAT can be controlled by a network access device (e.g., by the base station305). QoS may be controlled using hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ), radio link control (RLC), unacknowledged mode (UM), uplink (UL) prioritization, and scheduled uplink. A gateway connection based at least in part on the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may also provide a controlled connected mode discontinuous reception (CDRX) cycle (whereas WLAN power save may be proprietary and problematic); network access device selection and positioning of channels/carriers; an absence of the uncertainty of WLAN backhaul or WLAN access; and a reduction of the cost of operation (OPEX) of an ePDG server (toward eventual phase out). A gateway connection based at least in part on the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may also provide self-scheduling, enabling traffic for a gateway connection (e.g., VoIP traffic) to be handled mostly inside a SCC (with PUCCH/PRACH on a PCC, for example).

Unless the UE315is currently in an RRC connected state with the base station305, and is configured in a CA mode using one or more CCs in the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, the UE315may need to determine that the base station305supports the cellular RAT in the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band before determining whether to establish a gateway connection based at least in part on the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the UE315may determine that the base station305supports the cellular RAT in the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based at least in part on one or more inferences. For example, each time the UE315is configured to communicate over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based at least in part on the cellular RAT, the UE315may save an identifier of the network access device (e.g., base station) that configured the UE315to communicate over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based at least in part on the cellular RAT. Also or alternatively, the UE315may save a physical cell identity (PCI) associated with each network access device that configures the UE315to communicate over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. When the UE315accesses a network access device, the UE315may determine whether an identifier or PCI associated with the network access device has been saved. Based at least in part on determining that an identifier or PCI associated with a network access device has been saved, the UE315may determine whether to establish a gateway connection based at least in part on a cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In another example, the UE315may determine whether the base station305supports a cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based at least in part on whether the UE315receives, from the base station305, a measurement configuration (e.g., for a downlink channel) for a predetermined radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band may include a 5 GHz radio frequency spectrum band and/or part or all of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. One potential limitation of this inference is that a measurement configuration for a downlink channel may not necessarily imply that the base station305supports communication on an uplink channel based at least in part on the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. Thus, a UE that attempts to establish a bidirectional gateway connection based at least in part on the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may discover that the base station305does not support communication on an uplink channel based at least in part on the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In another example, the UE315may determine whether the base station305supports a cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based at least in part on whether the UE315receives, from the base station305, system information including radio access network (RAN) rules, which RAN rules include at least one threshold for selecting the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based on measurements.

In some examples, the UE315may determine that the base station305supports the cellular RAT in the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based at least in part on an explicit indication received from the base station305. In some examples, the explicit indication may be received in a BCCH (e.g., a single-bit indication in a BCCH). In some examples, the explicit indication may be received in system information broadcast or transmitted by the base station305, or provisioned on the UE315via a database or configuration file.

Upon determining that the WLAN access point335supports the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, the UE315may obtain (e.g., perform or receive) measurements for the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. Upon determining that the base station305supports the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, the UE315may obtain (e.g., perform or receive) measurements for the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The UE315may also obtain (e.g., perform or receive) measurements for the cellular RAT over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples, the base station305may transmit an indication of at least one usable carrier of the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, and the UE315may obtain measurements for the at least one usable carrier (e.g., at least one usable SCC). In some examples, the indication of the at least one usable carrier may include an indication of the carrier frequency(ies) of the at least one usable carrier. In some examples, the indication of the at least one usable carrier may be included in one or both of system information (e.g., in a BCCH) or unicast information transmitted by the base station305. In some examples, the base station305, WLAN access point335, or UE315may select a carrier (channel) or usable carrier, based at least in part on a bandwidth used for the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band or the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. For example, when the UE315operates as a soft AP or peer-to-peer group owner (P2P GO), the UE315may select a WLAN channel in the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based at least in part on a bandwidth used for the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples, the measurements obtained for the cellular RAT over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band, on the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, and/or on the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may include at least one of power (e.g., RSRP) or quality (e.g., RSRQ) measurements.

After determining that both a cellular RAT and a WLAN RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band are available, and obtaining measurements on at least one of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band (and in some examples, on usable carriers of the cellular RAT or WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band), the UE315may select one of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band for establishing a gateway connection associated with an APN. Alternatively, and when a cellular RAT over a licensed radio frequency spectrum band is available, the UE315may choose to establish or maintain the gateway connection based at least in part on the cellular RAT over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may be selected based at least in part on a comparison of the measurements to one or more thresholds. In addition to selecting the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, and in some examples, a best carrier of the selected RAT may be considered (e.g., when multiple carriers of the selected RAT satisfy the one or more thresholds, or in order to perform a comparison against a threshold). In some examples, the thresholds may be indicated to the UE315in one or more rules that indicate when the gateway connection may or should be established based at least in part on the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples, a same set of thresholds may be indicated for both the cellular RAT and the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, and measurements on both the cellular RAT and the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may be compared to the same set of thresholds. Assuming the measurements on the cellular RAT and the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band both satisfy the thresholds, the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may be selected based at least in part on a preconfigured or dynamically indicted RAT selection preference. In some examples, the RAT selection preference may be dynamically indicated by the base station305(e.g., in system information, such as system information transmitted in a BCCH).

In other examples, a first set of one or more thresholds may be indicated for the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, and a second set of one or more thresholds may be indicated for the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. Measurements on the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may be compared to the first set of one or more thresholds, and measurements on the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may be compared to the second set of one or more thresholds. In some examples, the first and/or second set of one or more thresholds may be set to bias the UE's selection of a RAT toward selection of the cellular RAT over the WLAN RAT, or to bias the UE's selection of a RAT toward selection of the WLAN RAT over the cellular RAT.

In some examples, a set of one or more thresholds may also be indicated for the cellular RAT over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band, and a selection of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may depend on comparisons of measurements obtained for the cellular RAT over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band to the set of one or more thresholds for the cellular RAT over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band. For example, the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may only be selected for establishing a gateway connection when the channel power and/or quality of the cellular RAT over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band drops below a predetermined threshold, and otherwise, the gateway connection may be established or maintained based at least in part on the cellular RAT over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples, RAN rules may include one or more thresholds, and may indicate when the UE315may establish the gateway connection based at least in part on the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. For example, 3GPP Release 13 RAN rules include RAN rules in a SIB17. The RAN rules in the SIB17 may include thresholds that indicate when a UE may establish a gateway connection based at least in part on a WLAN RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The RAN rules included in the SIB17 are based on measurements obtained (e.g., performed or received) for a cellular RAT over a licensed radio frequency spectrum band (e.g., measurements obtained for a PCC), and measurements obtained for a WLAN RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the thresholds that indicate when a UE may establish a gateway connection based at least in part on the WLAN RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may be set very high, based on an assumption that measurements on the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may at times satisfy the very high thresholds, but measurements on the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band will not satisfy the very high thresholds. Thus, the very high thresholds may bias a UE's selection of a RAT toward selection of the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. However, when such very high thresholds are used in a wireless communication system including some UEs that are configured to communicate based at least in part on the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band and other UEs that are not configured to communicate based at least in part on the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, the very high thresholds may unfairly deter the UEs that are not configured to communicate based at least in part on the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band from establishing a gateway connection over the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples, RAN rules (e.g., the RAN rules in the SIB17) may be augmented to include an additional set of RAN rules, including one or more thresholds for selecting the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the UE315may interpret receipt of a SIB17 including the additional set of RAN rules (including the additional one or more thresholds), from the base station305, as an indication that the base station305supports the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, a UE that is configured to communicate based at least in part on the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may apply the additional set of one or more thresholds to measurements, and a UE that is not configured to communicate based at least in part on the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may apply the legacy set of one or more thresholds to measurements.

FIG. 4shows an example structure of RAN rules400, and indicates the relative settings of a first set of thresholds and a second set of thresholds, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The first set of thresholds may be used in RAN rules for selecting between a cellular RAT over a licensed radio frequency spectrum band and a WLAN RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, and the second set of thresholds may be used in RAN rules for selecting between a cellular RAT and the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

By way of example, each set of thresholds may include a set of E-UTRAN serving cell thresholds405and a set of target WLAN access point thresholds410. The E-UTRAN serving cell thresholds405may include a WLAN offload minimum RSRP threshold (e.g., ThreshServingOffloadWLAN,LowP415) to which a RSRP measurement (e.g., RSRPmeas420) of the cellular RAT (or each usable carrier of the cellular RAT) over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band is compared, and a WLAN offload minimum RSRQ threshold (e.g., ThreshServingoffloadWLAN,LowQ425) to which a RSRQ measurement (e.g., RSRQmeas430) of the cellular RAT (or each usable carrier of the cellular RAT) over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band is compared. The target WLAN access point thresholds410may include a WLAN minimum channel utilization threshold (e.g., ThreshChUtilWLAN,Low435) to which a channel utilization measurement (e.g., ChannelUtilizationWLAN440) of the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band is compared; a WLAN maximum downlink (DL) backhaul rate (e.g., ThreshBackhRateULWLAN, High445) to which a DL backhaul rate measurement (e.g., BackhaulRateDLWLAN450) of the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band is compared; a WLAN maximum uplink (UL) backhaul rate (e.g., ThreshBackhRateULWLAN,High455) to which a UL backhaul rate measurement (e.g., BackhaulRateULWLAN460) of the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band is compared; and a WLAN maximum RSSI threshold (e.g., ThreshWLANRSSI, High465) to which a RSSI measurement (e.g., WLANRSSI470) of the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band is compared.

If either measurement of the E-UTRAN serving cell thresholds405satisfies its respective threshold (or in some cases, if both measurements satisfy their respective thresholds), and/or either measurement of the target WLAN access point thresholds410satisfies its respective threshold (or in some cases, if all measurements satisfy their respective thresholds), a UE may select the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band for establishing a gateway connection associated with an APN. Otherwise, the UE may establish or maintain the gateway connection based at least in part on the cellular RAT over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band or the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

The second set of thresholds may include versions of the E-UTRAN serving cell thresholds405and target WLAN access point thresholds410in which the minimum thresholds are set lower and the maximum thresholds are set higher than in the first set of thresholds. In some examples, the same set of target WLAN access point thresholds410may be used for each of the first and second sets of thresholds. When none of the E-UTRAN serving cell thresholds405in the first set of thresholds are satisfied, a UE may establish or maintain a gateway connection based at least in part on the cellular RAT over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band. When at least one (or in some examples, all) of the E-UTRAN serving cell thresholds405in the first set of thresholds is satisfied, a UE may establish or maintain a gateway connection based at least in part on the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, unless at least one (or in some examples, all) of the E-UTRAN serving cell thresholds405in the second set of thresholds is satisfied and at least one (or in some examples, all) of the target WLAN access point thresholds410is satisfied. In this manner, a RAT selection priority may be established, in which the cellular RAT over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band is given first priority, the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band is given second priority, and the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band is given third priority. In other examples, other priorities may be established.

The RAN rules included in SIB17 are currently included in a wlan-OffloadConfigCommon information element (IE). A similar IE may be used to transmit RAN rules in RRC Configuration information (e.g., in a rrcConnectionReconfiguration), to a selected UE.

FIG. 5shows an example structure of a modified IE500for transmitting RAN rules in a SIB17 or RRC Configuration information, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. As shown, the modified IE500may include a first set of E-UTRAN serving cell thresholds505for selecting between a cellular RAT over a licensed radio frequency spectrum band and a WLAN RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, a second set of E-UTRAN serving cell thresholds510for selecting between a cellular RAT and the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, and a set of target WLAN access point thresholds515for selecting the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The first set of E-UTRAN serving cell thresholds505and second set of E-UTRAN serving cell thresholds510may be examples of the E-UTRAN serving cell thresholds405described with reference toFIG. 4, and the target WLAN access point thresholds515may be an example of the target WLAN access point thresholds410described with reference toFIG. 4.

InFIG. 5, the set of target WLAN access point thresholds515may be evaluated in conjunction with evaluating the first set of E-UTRAN serving cell thresholds505or the second set of E-UTRAN serving cell thresholds510. This may reduce the size of the IE500, but at the expense of less flexibility. In some examples, receipt of the IE500including the second set of E-UTRAN serving cell thresholds510, from a network access device, may indicate to a UE that the network access device supports the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

FIG. 6shows an example structure of a modified SIB17600for transmitting RAN rules, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. As shown, the modified SIB17600may include a first set of thresholds (e.g., in a first IE, such as a wlan-OffloadConfigCommon IE605) and a second set of thresholds (e.g., in a second IE, such as a wlan-OffCnfgCommon IE610). The first set of thresholds may be used in RAN rules for selecting between a cellular RAT over a licensed radio frequency spectrum band and a WLAN RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, and the second set of thresholds may be used in RAN rules for selecting between a cellular RAT and the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the first set of thresholds may include a first set of E-UTRAN serving cell thresholds and a first set of target WLAN access point thresholds, and the second set of thresholds may include a second set of E-UTRAN serving cell threshold and a second set of target WLAN access point thresholds. The first and second sets of E-UTRAN serving cell thresholds may be examples of the E-UTRAN serving cell thresholds405described with reference toFIG. 4, and the first and second sets of target WLAN access point thresholds may be examples of the target WLAN access point thresholds410described with reference toFIG. 4.

In some examples, receipt of the SIB17600including the second set of thresholds, from a network access device, may indicate to a UE that the network access device supports the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples, a UE may determine whether to select a cellular RAT or WLAN RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, for establishment of a gateway connection associated with an APN, based at least in part on ANDSF rules. In some examples, ANDSF rules may be applied in the absence of RAN rules. A UE may receive the ANDSF rules in an ANDSF management object (e.g., an extensible markup language (XML) file), as described in 3GPP TS 24.312 for example. The ANDSF rules may include thresholds similar to those included in RAN rules, and may be augmented to include the additional rules and/or thresholds described with reference toFIG. 3, 4, 5, or6for selecting between a cellular RAT and the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples, a behavior equivalent to the behavior associated with the RAN rules or the ANDSF rules may be achieved via one or more proprietary configuration files and/or policies.

FIG. 7shows an example structure of a modified ANDSF management object700for transmitting ANDSF rules, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. As shown, the modified ANDSF management object700may include a first set of E-UTRAN serving cell thresholds705for selecting between a cellular RAT over a licensed radio frequency spectrum band and a WLAN RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, a second set of E-UTRAN serving cell thresholds710for selecting between a cellular RAT and the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, and a set of target WLAN access point thresholds715for selecting the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The first set of E-UTRAN serving cell thresholds705and second set of E-UTRAN serving cell thresholds710may be examples of the E-UTRAN serving cell thresholds405described with reference toFIG. 4, and the target WLAN access point thresholds715may be an example of the target WLAN access point thresholds410described with reference toFIG. 4.

In an alternative configuration of the modified ANDSF management object700, an additional set of target WLAN access point thresholds may be included in the modified ANDSF management object700, with a first set of target WLAN access point thresholds being provided for use when selecting between the cellular RAT over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band and the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, and a second set of target WLAN access point thresholds being provided for use when selecting between a cellular RAT and the WLAN RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples, RAN rules may be preferable to ANDSF rules in that the thresholds included in RAN rules may be changed more frequently than the thresholds in ANDSF rules.

In some examples, a MNO may configure its network to support concurrent communication based at least in part on a cellular RAT over a first unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, and based at least in part on a WLAN RAT over a second unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The concurrent communication may be between a network access device and a UE, or between a network access device and multiple UEs (e.g., with different UEs communicating over the first or second unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band using one or the other of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT). In some examples, communication based at least in part on a cellular RAT may be supported over a 5 GHz unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, and communication based at least in part on a WLAN RAT may be supported over a 2.4 GHz unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples, a MNO (or network access device) that supports concurrent communication based at least in part on a cellular RAT over a first unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, and based at least in part on a WLAN RAT over a second unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, may signal (e.g., to UEs) when a WLAN network (e.g., an operator-deployed WLAN network used for nonseamless WLAN offload (NSWO)) has a lower priority than a cellular network (e.g., a cellular network over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band). In this manner, the signaling may influence which of the networks a UE (e.g., a UE that is capable of operating over both the cellular RAT over the first unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band and the WLAN RAT over the second unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band) selects for establishment of services (e.g., a gateway connection associated with an APN, such as an Internet packet data network (PDN)). For example, a UE may be configured to select a higher priority network (over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band) when a lower priority network and a higher priority network are available to the UE. In some examples, the UE may internally prevent a connection to a WLAN (or servicing of a class of service over the WLAN) when the WLAN has been indicated to be of lower priority, and when a cellular RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band is determined to be available.

FIG. 8shows a block diagram800of an apparatus815for use in wireless communication, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The apparatus815may be an example of aspects of one or more of the UEs described with reference toFIG. 1, 2, or3. The apparatus815may also be or include a processor. The apparatus815may include a receiver810, a wireless communication manager820, or a transmitter830. Each of these components may be in communication with each other.

In some examples, the receiver810may include at least one radio frequency (RF) receiver, such as at least one RF receiver operable to receive transmissions over a licensed radio frequency spectrum band (e.g., a radio frequency spectrum band licensed to particular users for particular uses) or an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band (e.g., a radio frequency spectrum band available for Wi-Fi use, a radio frequency spectrum band available for use by different radio access technologies, or a radio frequency spectrum band available for use by multiple MNOs in an equally shared or prioritized manner). In some examples, the licensed radio frequency spectrum band or the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may be used for LTE/LTE-A communications, as described, for example, with reference toFIG. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or7. The receiver810may be used to receive various types of data or control signals (i.e., “data” or transmissions) over one or more communication links of a wireless communication system, such as one or more communication links of the wireless communication system100or200described with reference toFIG. 1 or 2. The communication links may be established over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band or the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples, the transmitter830may include at least one RF transmitter, such as at least one RF transmitter operable to transmit over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band or the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The transmitter830may be used to transmit various types of data or control signals (i.e., “data” or transmissions) over one or more communication links of a wireless communication system, such as one or more communication links of the wireless communication system100or200described with reference toFIG. 1 or 2. The communication links may be established over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band or the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples, the wireless communication manager820may be used to manage one or more aspects of wireless communication for the apparatus815. In some examples, part of the wireless communication manager820may be incorporated into or shared with the receiver810or the transmitter830. In some examples, the wireless communication manager820may include a RAT identifier835, a measurement manager840, a RAT selector845, or a traffic manager850.

The RAT identifier835may be used to determine whether both a cellular RAT and a WLAN RAT are available over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The measurement manager840may be used to obtain measurements (e.g., perform measurements or receive measurements) for at least the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT. In some examples, obtaining the measurements may include determining at least one of a RSRP, a RSRQ, or a combination thereof. The RAT selector845may be used to selecting one of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT for a class of traffic. The selected RAT may be selected based at least in part on the measurements. The traffic manager850may be used to serve the class of traffic based at least in part on the selected RAT. In some examples, the class of traffic may include a gateway connection associated with an APN, and serving the class of traffic may include at least one of initiating the gateway connection, offloading the gateway connection, or performing a handover of the gateway connection. In some examples, the class of traffic may include all of the traffic routed to a default route by the operating system, such as Internet traffic.

FIG. 9shows a block diagram900of an apparatus915for use in wireless communication, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The apparatus915may be an example of aspects of one or more of the UEs described with reference toFIG. 1, 2, or3. The apparatus915may also be or include a processor. The apparatus915may include a receiver910, a wireless communication manager920, or a transmitter930. Each of these components may be in communication with each other.

In some examples, the receiver910may include at least one RF receiver, such as at least one RF receiver operable to receive transmissions over a licensed radio frequency spectrum band (e.g., a radio frequency spectrum band licensed to particular users for particular uses) or an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band (e.g., a radio frequency spectrum band available for Wi-Fi use, a radio frequency spectrum band available for use by different radio access technologies, or a radio frequency spectrum band available for use by multiple MNOs in an equally shared or prioritized manner). In some examples, the licensed radio frequency spectrum band or the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may be used for LTE/LTE-A communications, as described, for example, with reference toFIG. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or7. The receiver910may be used to receive various types of data or control signals (i.e., “data” or transmissions) over one or more communication links of a wireless communication system, such as one or more communication links of the wireless communication system100or200described with reference toFIG. 1 or 2. The communication links may be established over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band or the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples, the transmitter930may include at least one RF transmitter, such as at least one RF transmitter operable to transmit over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band or the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The transmitter930may be used to transmit various types of data or control signals (i.e., “data” or transmissions) over one or more communication links of a wireless communication system, such as one or more communication links of the wireless communication system100or200described with reference toFIG. 1 or 2. The communication links may be established over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band or the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples, the wireless communication manager920may be used to manage one or more aspects of wireless communication for the apparatus915. In some examples, part of the wireless communication manager920may be incorporated into or shared with the receiver910or the transmitter930. In some examples, the wireless communication manager920may include a network access device identifier955, a RAT identifier935, a measurement manager940, a RAT selector945, a traffic manager950, or a cellular/WLAN coordination manager980. In some examples, the RAT identifier935may include a prior connection identification manager960or an available RAT indication manager965. In some examples, the measurement manager940may include a measurement configuration manager970. In some examples, the RAT selector945may include a rule manager975.

The network access device identifier955may be used to identify a network access device within range of the apparatus915.

The RAT identifier935may be used to determine whether both a cellular RAT and a WLAN RAT are available over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

The measurement manager940may be used to obtain measurements (e.g., perform measurements or receive measurements) for at least the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT. In some examples, obtaining the measurements may include determining at least one of a RSRP, a RSRQ, or a combination thereof.

The RAT selector945may be used to selecting one of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT for a class of traffic. The selected RAT may be selected based at least in part on the measurements.

The traffic manager950may be used to serve the class of traffic based at least in part on the selected RAT. In some examples, the class of traffic may include a gateway connection associated with an APN, and serving the class of traffic may include at least one of initiating the gateway connection, offloading the gateway connection, or performing a handover of the gateway connection. In some examples, the class of traffic may include all of the traffic routed to a default route by the operating system, such as Internet traffic. In some examples, the traffic manager950may also or alternatively determine that no class of traffic is using a RAT (e.g., a WLAN RAT) and prevent or terminate an association with the RAT.

In some examples, the prior connection identification manager960may be used to save at least one of identifiers of network access devices that configure the apparatus915to communicate over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based at least in part on a cellular RAT, or physical cell identities associated with the network access devices that configure the apparatus915to communicate over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based at least in part on the cellular RAT. When the network access device identifier955identifies a network access device within range of the apparatus915, the RAT identifier935may determine whether the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band is available by determining whether an identifier of the network access device or a PCI associated with the network access device is saved.

In some examples, the measurement configuration manager970may be used to receive, from a network access device, a measurement configuration for a predetermined radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band may include a 5 GHz radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band may include an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the RAT identifier935may determine whether the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band is available based at least in part on receiving the measurement configuration for the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band from the network access device.

In some examples, the available RAT indication manager965may be used to receive, in a BCCH, an indication that a network access device supports a use of the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, and the RAT identifier935may determine that the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band is available based at least in part on the RAT indication manager965receiving the indication that the network access device supports a use of the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples, the RAT identifier935may be used to receive, from a network access device, an indication of at least one carrier frequency of at least one usable carrier of the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In these examples, the measurement manager940may obtain measurements for the at least one usable carrier.

In some examples, the rule manager975may be used to receive system information including RAN rules. The RAN rules may include at least one threshold for selecting a cellular RAT or a WLAN RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based on the measurements. In some examples, the at least one threshold may be included in a cellular RAT over a licensed radio frequency spectrum band to WLAN RAT offload configuration IE of the system information, or in a cellular RAT over a licensed radio frequency spectrum band to cellular RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band offload configuration IE of the system information. In some examples, the RAT identifier935may determine that the cellular RAT is available over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based at least in part on receiving the at least one threshold. In some examples, the RAT selector945may select the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT based at least in part on a comparison of the measurements to the at least one threshold received in the RAN rules.

In some examples, the rule manager975may be used to receive an ANDSF management object including ANDSF rules. The ANDSF rules may include at least one threshold for selecting a cellular RAT or a WLAN RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based on the measurements. In some examples, the RAT selector945may select the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT based at least in part on a comparison of the measurements to the at least one threshold received in the ANDSF rules.

In some examples, the RAT selector945may be used to determine whether the WLAN RAT is associated with a WLAN having a lower priority than a cellular network associated with the cellular RAT. In some examples, an indication that the WLAN is associated with the lower priority than the cellular network may be received from a network access device. In some examples, the WLAN may have the lower priority than the cellular network for a class of traffic. In some examples, the RAT selector945may select the cellular RAT over the WLAN RAT based at least in part on the determined availability of the cellular RAT and the determined lower priority of the WLAN.

In some examples, the cellular/WLAN coordination manager980may be used to select a WLAN channel in the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The WLAN channel may be selected for operating a WLAN service (e.g., an access point or a Peer to Peer Group Owner (PGO)). The WLAN channel may also be selected based at least in part on a bandwidth used for the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

FIG. 10shows a block diagram1000of an apparatus1005for use in wireless communication, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The apparatus1005may be an example of aspects of one or more of the network access devices described with reference toFIG. 1, 2, or3. The apparatus1005may also be or include a processor. The apparatus1005may include a receiver1010, a wireless communication manager1020, or a transmitter1030. Each of these components may be in communication with each other.

In some examples, the receiver1010may include at least one RF receiver, such as at least one RF receiver operable to receive transmissions over a licensed radio frequency spectrum band (e.g., a radio frequency spectrum band licensed to particular users for particular uses) or an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band (e.g., a radio frequency spectrum band available for Wi-Fi use, a radio frequency spectrum band available for use by different radio access technologies, or a radio frequency spectrum band available for use by multiple MNOs in an equally shared or prioritized manner). In some examples, the licensed radio frequency spectrum band or the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may be used for LTE/LTE-A communications, as described, for example, with reference toFIG. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or7. The receiver1010may be used to receive various types of data or control signals (i.e., “data” or transmissions) over one or more communication links of a wireless communication system, such as one or more communication links of the wireless communication system100or200described with reference toFIG. 1 or 2. The communication links may be established over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band or the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples, the transmitter1030may include at least one RF transmitter, such as at least one RF transmitter operable to transmit over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band or the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The transmitter1030may be used to transmit various types of data or control signals (i.e., “data” or transmissions) over one or more communication links of a wireless communication system, such as one or more communication links of the wireless communication system100or200described with reference toFIG. 1 or 2. The communication links may be established over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band or the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some examples, the wireless communication manager1020may be used to manage one or more aspects of wireless communication for the apparatus1005. In some examples, part of the wireless communication manager1020may be incorporated into or shared with the receiver1010or the transmitter1030. In some examples, the wireless communication manager1020may include a RAT capability indicator1035, an unlicensed communication manager1040, or a network priority identifier1045.

The RAT capability indicator1035may be used to indicate that the network access device supports a cellular RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, indicating that the network access device supports the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may include transmitting a measurement configuration for a predetermined radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band may include a 5 GHz radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band may include the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, indicating that the network access device supports the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may include transmitting, in a BCCH, an indication that the network access device supports the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

The RAT capability indicator1035may also be used to transmit an indication of at least one carrier frequency of at least one usable carrier of the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

The unlicensed communication manager1040may be used to communicate with at least one UE based at least in part on the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

The network priority identifier1045may be used to indicate that a WLAN has a lower priority than a cellular network associated with the cellular RAT. In some examples, the indication may include an identifier of the WLAN. In some examples, the WLAN may be a WLAN operated by a same operator that operates the cellular network. In some examples, the indication that the WLAN has the lower priority than the cellular network may indicate that the WLAN has the lower priority than the cellular network for a class of traffic (which may indicate, or imply, that the WLAN has a priority that is equal to or higher than the priority of the cellular network for other classes of traffic).

FIG. 11shows a block diagram1100of a UE1115for use in wireless communication, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The UE1115may be included or be part of a personal computer (e.g., a laptop computer, a netbook computer, a tablet computer, etc.), a cellular telephone, a PDA, a DVR, an internet appliance, a gaming console, an e-reader, etc. The UE1115may, in some examples, have an internal power supply (not shown), such as a small battery, to facilitate mobile operation. In some examples, the UE1115may be an example of aspects of one or more of the UEs described with reference toFIG. 1, 2, or3, or aspects of the apparatus described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9. The UE1115may be configured to implement at least some of the UE or apparatus techniques and functions described with reference toFIG. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or9.

The UE1115may include a UE processor1110, a UE memory1120, at least one UE transceiver (represented by UE transceiver(s)1130), at least one UE antenna (represented by UE antenna(s)1140), or a UE wireless communication manager1150. Each of these components may be in communication with each other, directly or indirectly, over one or more buses1135.

The UE memory1120may include random access memory (RAM) or read-only memory (ROM). The UE memory1120may store computer-readable, computer-executable code1125containing instructions that are configured to, when executed, cause the UE processor1110to perform various functions described herein related to wireless communication, including, for example, selecting a RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band for serving a class of traffic, etc. Alternatively, the computer-executable code1125may not be directly executable by the UE processor1110but be configured to cause the UE1115(e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform various of the functions described herein.

The UE processor1110may include an intelligent hardware device, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an ASIC, etc. The UE processor1110may process information received through the UE transceiver(s)1130or information to be sent to the UE transceiver(s)1130for transmission through the UE antenna(s)1140. The UE processor1110may handle, alone or in connection with the UE wireless communication manager1150, various aspects of communicating over (or managing communications over) a licensed radio frequency spectrum band or the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

The UE transceiver(s)1130may include a modem configured to modulate packets and provide the modulated packets to the UE antenna(s)1140for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the UE antenna(s)1140. The UE transceiver(s)1130may, in some examples, be implemented as one or more UE transmitters and one or more separate UE receivers. The UE transceiver(s)1130may support communications in the licensed radio frequency spectrum band or the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The UE transceiver(s)1130may be configured to communicate bi-directionally, via the UE antenna(s)1140, with one or more network access devices (e.g., base stations or radio heads) or apparatuses, such as one or more of the network access devices (e.g., base stations) described with reference toFIG. 1, 2, or3, or one or more of the apparatuses described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9. While the UE1115may include a single UE antenna, there may be examples in which the UE1115may include multiple UE antennas1140.

The UE wireless communication manager1150may be configured to perform or control some or all of the UE or apparatus techniques or functions described with reference toFIG. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or9related to wireless communication over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band or the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. For example, the UE wireless communication manager1150may be configured to support a supplemental downlink mode (e.g., a LAA mode), a carrier aggregation mode (e.g., an eLAA mode), or a standalone mode (e.g., a MF mode) using the licensed radio frequency spectrum band or the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The UE wireless communication manager1150may include a UE licensed radio frequency spectrum band manager1155configured to handle communications in the licensed radio frequency spectrum band, and a UE unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band manager1160configured to handle communications in the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The UE wireless communication manager1150, or portions of it, may include a processor, or some or all of the functions of the UE wireless communication manager1150may be performed by the UE processor1110or in connection with the UE processor1110. In some examples, the UE wireless communication manager1150may be an example of the wireless communication manager described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

FIG. 12shows a block diagram1200of a network access device1205(e.g., a base station) for use in wireless communication, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, the network access device1205may be an example of one or more aspects of the network access devices (e.g., base stations) described with reference toFIG. 1, 2, or3, or aspects of the apparatus described with reference toFIG. 10. The network access device1205may be configured to implement or facilitate at least some of the network access device, base station, or apparatus techniques and functions described with reference toFIG. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or10.

The network access device1205may include a network access device processor1210, a network access device memory1220, at least one network access device transceiver (represented by network access device transceiver(s)1250), at least one network access device antenna (represented by network access device antenna(s)1255), or a network access device wireless communication manager1260. The network access device1205may also include one or more of a network access device communicator1230or a network communicator1240. Each of these components may be in communication with each other, directly or indirectly, over one or more buses1235.

The network access device memory1220may include RAM or ROM. The network access device memory1220may store computer-readable, computer-executable code1225containing instructions that are configured to, when executed, cause the network access device processor1210to perform various functions described herein related to wireless communication, including, for example, indicating the network access device1205supports a cellular RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, etc.. Alternatively, the computer-executable code1225may not be directly executable by the network access device processor1210but be configured to cause the network access device1205(e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform various of the functions described herein.

The network access device processor1210may include an intelligent hardware device, e.g., a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, etc. The network access device processor1210may process information received through the network access device transceiver(s)1250, the network access device communicator1230, or the network communicator1240. The network access device processor1210may also process information to be sent to the transceiver(s)1250for transmission through the antenna(s)1255, to the network access device communicator1230, for transmission to one or more other network access devices (e.g., network access device1205-aand/or network access device1205-b), or to the network communicator1240for transmission to a core network1245, which may be an example of one or more aspects of the core network130described with reference toFIG. 1. The network access device processor1210may handle, alone or in connection with the network access device wireless communication manager1260, various aspects of communicating over (or managing communications over) a licensed radio frequency spectrum band or the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

The network access device transceiver(s)1250may include a modem configured to modulate packets and provide the modulated packets to the network access device antenna(s)1255for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the network access device antenna(s)1255. The network access device transceiver(s)1250may, in some examples, be implemented as one or more network access device transmitters and one or more separate network access device receivers. The network access device transceiver(s)1250may support communications in the licensed radio frequency spectrum band or the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The network access device transceiver(s)1250may be configured to communicate bi-directionally, via the network access device antenna(s)1255, with one or more UEs or apparatuses, such as one or more of the UEs described with reference toFIG. 1, 2, 3, or11, or the apparatus described with reference toFIG. 10. The network access device1205may, for example, include multiple network access device antennas1255(e.g., an antenna array). The network access device1205may communicate with the core network1245through the network communicator1240. The network access device1205may also communicate with other network access devices, such as the network access device1205-aand/or the network access device1205-b,using the network access device communicator1230.

The network access device wireless communication manager1260may be configured to perform or control some or all of the techniques or functions described with reference toFIG. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or10related to wireless communication over the licensed radio frequency spectrum band or the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. For example, the network access device wireless communication manager1260may be configured to support a supplemental downlink mode (e.g., a LAA mode), a carrier aggregation mode (e.g., an eLAA mode), or a standalone mode (e.g., a MF mode) using the licensed radio frequency spectrum band or the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The network access device wireless communication manager1260may include a network access device licensed radio frequency spectrum band manager1265configured to handle communications in the licensed radio frequency spectrum band, and a network access device unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band manager1270configured to handle communications in the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The network access device wireless communication manager1260, or portions of it, may include a processor, or some or all of the functions of the network access device wireless communication manager1260may be performed by the network access device processor1210or in connection with the network access device processor1210. In some examples, the network access device wireless communication manager1260may be an example of the wireless communication manager described with reference toFIG. 10.

FIG. 13is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method1300for wireless communication at a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. For clarity, the method1300is described below with reference to aspects of one or more of the UEs described with reference toFIG. 1, 2, 3, or11, or aspects of the apparatus described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9. In some examples, a UE may execute one or more sets of codes to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may perform one or more of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At block1305, the method1300may include determining that both a cellular RAT and a WLAN RAT are available over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The operation(s) at block1305may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the RAT identifier835or935described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block1310, the method1300may include obtaining measurements (e.g., performing measurements or receiving measurements) for at least the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT. In some examples, obtaining the measurements may include determining at least one of a RSRP, a RSRQ, or a combination thereof. The operation(s) at block1310may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the measurement manager840or940described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block1315, the method1300may include selecting, by the UE, one of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT for a class of traffic. The selected RAT may be selected based at least in part on the measurements. The operation(s) at block1315may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the RAT selector845or945described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block1320, the method1300may include serving the class of traffic based at least in part on the selected RAT. In some examples, the class of traffic may include a gateway connection associated with an APN, and serving the class of traffic may include at least one of initiating the gateway connection, offloading the gateway connection, or performing a handover of the gateway connection. The operation(s) at block1320may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the traffic manager850or950described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block1325, the method1300may optionally include selecting a WLAN channel in the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The WLAN channel may be selected for operating a WLAN service (e.g., an access point or a PGO). The WLAN channel may also be selected based at least in part on a bandwidth used for the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

FIG. 14is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method1400for wireless communication at a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. For clarity, the method1400is described below with reference to aspects of one or more of the UEs described with reference toFIG. 1, 2, 3, or11, or aspects of the apparatus described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9. In some examples, a UE may execute one or more sets of codes to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may perform one or more of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At block1405, the method1400may include saving at least one of identifiers of network access devices that configure the UE to communicate over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based at least in part on a cellular RAT, or physical cell identities associated with the network access devices that configure the UE to communicate over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based at least in part on the cellular RAT. The operation(s) at block1405may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, the RAT identifier835or935described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, or the prior connection identification manager960described with reference toFIG. 9.

At block1410, the method1400may include identifying a network access device within range of the UE. The operation(s) at block1410may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the network access device identifier955described with reference toFIG. 9.

At block1415, the method1400may include determining that both the cellular RAT and a WLAN RAT are available over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. Determining that the cellular RAT is available over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may include determining that an identifier of the network access device or a PCI associated with the network access device is saved. The operation(s) at block1415may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the RAT identifier835or935described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block1420, the method1400may include obtaining measurements (e.g., performing measurements or receiving measurements) for at least the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT. In some examples, obtaining the measurements may include determining at least one of a RSRP, a RSRQ, or a combination thereof. The operation(s) at block1420may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the measurement manager840or940described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block1425, the method1400may include selecting, by the UE, one of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT for a class of traffic. The selected RAT may be selected based at least in part on the measurements. The operation(s) at block1425may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the RAT selector845or945described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block1430, the method1400may include serving the class of traffic based at least in part on the selected RAT. In some examples, the class of traffic may include a gateway connection associated with an APN, and serving the class of traffic may include at least one of initiating the gateway connection, offloading the gateway connection, or performing a handover of the gateway connection. The operation(s) at block1430may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the traffic manager850or950described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

FIG. 15is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method1500for wireless communication at a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. For clarity, the method1500is described below with reference to aspects of one or more of the UEs described with reference toFIG. 1, 2, 3, or11, or aspects of the apparatus described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9. In some examples, a UE may execute one or more sets of codes to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may perform one or more of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At block1505, the method1500may include receiving, from a network access device, a measurement configuration for a predetermined radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band may include a 5 GHz radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band may include an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The operation(s) at block1505may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, the measurement manager840or940described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, or the measurement configuration manager970described with reference toFIG. 9.

At block1510, the method1500may include determining that both a cellular RAT and a WLAN RAT are available over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the determination that the cellular RAT is available over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may be based at least in part on receiving the measurement configuration for the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band from the network access device. The operation(s) at block1510may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the RAT identifier835or935described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block1515, the method1500may include obtaining measurements (e.g., performing measurements or receiving measurements) for at least the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT. In some examples, obtaining the measurements may include determining at least one of a RSRP, a RSRQ, or a combination thereof. The operation(s) at block1615may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the measurement manager840or940described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block1520, the method1500may include selecting, by the UE, one of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT for a class of traffic. The selected RAT may be selected based at least in part on the measurements. The operation(s) at block1520may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the RAT selector845or945described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block1525, the method1500may include serving the class of traffic based at least in part on the selected RAT. In some examples, the class of traffic may include a gateway connection associated with an APN, and serving the class of traffic may include at least one of initiating the gateway connection, offloading the gateway connection, or performing a handover of the gateway connection. The operation(s) at block1525may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the traffic manager850or950described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

FIG. 16is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method1600for wireless communication at a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. For clarity, the method1600is described below with reference to aspects of one or more of the UEs described with reference toFIG. 1, 2, 3, or11, or aspects of the apparatus described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9. In some examples, a UE may execute one or more sets of codes to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may perform one or more of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At block1605, the method1600may include determining that both a cellular RAT and a WLAN RAT are available over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, determining that the cellular RAT is available over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may include receiving, in a BCCH, an indication that a network access device supports a use of the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The operation(s) at block1605may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, the RAT identifier835or935described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, or the available RAT indication manager965described with reference toFIG. 9.

At block1610, the method1600may include obtaining measurements (e.g., performing measurements or receiving measurements) for at least the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT. In some examples, obtaining the measurements may include determining at least one of a RSRP, a RSRQ, or a combination thereof. The operation(s) at block1610may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the measurement manager840or940described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block1615, the method1600may include selecting, by the UE, one of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT for a class of traffic. The selected RAT may be selected based at least in part on the measurements. The operation(s) at block1615may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the RAT selector845or945described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block1620, the method1600may include serving the class of traffic based at least in part on the selected RAT. In some examples, the class of traffic may include a gateway connection associated with an APN, and serving the class of traffic may include at least one of initiating the gateway connection, offloading the gateway connection, or performing a handover of the gateway connection. The operation(s) at block1620may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the traffic manager850or950described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

FIG. 17is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method1700for wireless communication at a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. For clarity, the method1700is described below with reference to aspects of one or more of the UEs described with reference toFIG. 1, 2, 3, or11, or aspects of the apparatus described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9. In some examples, a UE may execute one or more sets of codes to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may perform one or more of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At block1705, the method1700may include determining that both a cellular RAT and a WLAN RAT are available over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The operation(s) at block1705may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the RAT identifier835or935described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block1710, the method1700may include receiving, from a network access device, an indication of at least one carrier frequency of at least one usable carrier of the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The operation(s) at block1710may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the RAT identifier835or935described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block1715, the method1700may include obtaining measurements (e.g., performing measurements or receiving measurements) for at least the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT. In some examples, obtaining the measurements may include determining at least one of a RSRP, a RSRQ, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the measurements on the cellular RAT may be obtained for the at least one usable carrier. The operation(s) at block1715may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the measurement manager840or940described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block1720, the method1700may include selecting, by the UE, one of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT for a class of traffic. The selected RAT may be selected based at least in part on the measurements. The operation(s) at block1720may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the RAT selector845or945described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block1725, the method1700may include serving the class of traffic based at least in part on the selected RAT. In some examples, the class of traffic may include a gateway connection associated with an APN, and serving the class of traffic may include at least one of initiating the gateway connection, offloading the gateway connection, or performing a handover of the gateway connection. The operation(s) at block1725may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the traffic manager850or950described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

FIG. 18is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method1800for wireless communication at a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. For clarity, the method1800is described below with reference to aspects of one or more of the UEs described with reference toFIG. 1, 2, 3, or11, or aspects of the apparatus described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9. In some examples, a UE may execute one or more sets of codes to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may perform one or more of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At block1805, the method1800may include receiving system information including RAN rules. The RAN rules may include at least one threshold for selecting a cellular RAT or a WLAN RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based on measurements. In some examples, the at least one threshold may be included in a cellular RAT over a licensed radio frequency spectrum band to WLAN RAT offload configuration IE of the system information, or in a cellular RAT over a licensed radio frequency spectrum band to cellular RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band offload configuration IE of the system information. The operation(s) at block1805may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, the RAT selector845or945described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, or the rule manager975described with reference toFIG. 9.

At block1810, the method1800may include determining that both the cellular RAT and the WLAN RAT are available over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The determination that the cellular RAT is available over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may be based at least in part on receiving the at least one threshold. The operation(s) at block1810may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the RAT identifier835or935described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block1815, the method1800may include obtaining measurements (e.g., performing measurements or receiving measurements) for at least the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT. In some examples, obtaining the measurements may include determining at least one of a RSRP, a RSRQ, or a combination thereof. The operation(s) at block1815may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the measurement manager840or940described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block1820, the method1800may include selecting, by the UE, one of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT for a class of traffic. The selected RAT may be selected based at least in part on the measurements (e.g., based at least in part on a comparison of the measurements to the at least one threshold). The operation(s) at block1820may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the RAT selector845or945described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block1825, the method1800may include serving the class of traffic based at least in part on the selected RAT. In some examples, the class of traffic may include a gateway connection associated with an APN, and serving the class of traffic may include at least one of initiating the gateway connection, offloading the gateway connection, or performing a handover of the gateway connection. The operation(s) at block1825may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the traffic manager850or950described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

FIG. 19is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method1900for wireless communication at a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. For clarity, the method1900is described below with reference to aspects of one or more of the UEs described with reference toFIG. 1, 2, 3, or11, or aspects of the apparatus described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9. In some examples, a UE may execute one or more sets of codes to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may perform one or more of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At block1905, the method1900may include receiving an ANDSF management object including ANDSF rules. The ANDSF rules may include at least one threshold for selecting a cellular RAT or a WLAN RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based on the measurements. The operation(s) at block1905may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, the RAT identifier835or935described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, or the rule manager975described with reference toFIG. 9.

At block1910, the method1900may include determining that both the cellular RAT and the WLAN RAT are available over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The operation(s) at block1910may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the RAT identifier835or935described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block1915, the method1900may include obtaining measurements (e.g., performing measurements or receiving measurements) for at least the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT. In some examples, obtaining the measurements may include determining at least one of a RSRP, a RSRQ, or a combination thereof. The operation(s) at block1915may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the measurement manager840or940described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block1920, the method1900may include selecting, by the UE, one of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT for a class of traffic. The selected RAT may be selected based at least in part on the measurements. In some examples, the selection of the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT may be based at least in part on a comparison of the measurements to the at least one threshold. The operation(s) at block1920may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the RAT selector845or945described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block1925, the method1900may include serving the class of traffic based at least in part on the selected RAT. In some examples, the class of traffic may include a gateway connection associated with an APN, and serving the class of traffic may include at least one of initiating the gateway connection, offloading the gateway connection, or performing a handover of the gateway connection. The operation(s) at block1925may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the traffic manager850or950described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

FIG. 20is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method2000for wireless communication at a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. For clarity, the method2000is described below with reference to aspects of one or more of the UEs described with reference toFIG. 1, 2, 3, or11, or aspects of the apparatus described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9. In some examples, a UE may execute one or more sets of codes to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may perform one or more of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At block2005, the method2000may include receiving, from a network access device, an indication that a WLAN is associated with a lower priority than a cellular network. In some examples, the WLAN may have the lower priority than the cellular network for a class of traffic. The operation(s) at block2005may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the RAT selector845or945described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block2010, the method2000may include determining that both a cellular RAT and a WLAN RAT are available over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The operation(s) at block2010may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the RAT identifier835or935described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block2015, the method2000may include obtaining measurements (e.g., performing measurements or receiving measurements) for at least the cellular RAT or the WLAN RAT. In some examples, obtaining the measurements may include determining at least one of a RSRP, a RSRQ, or a combination thereof. The operation(s) at block2015may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the measurement manager840or940described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block2020, the method2000may include determining that the WLAN RAT is associated with the WLAN having the lower priority than the cellular network, where the cellular network is associated with the cellular RAT. The operation(s) at block2020may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the RAT selector845or945described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block2025, the method2000may include selecting, by the UE, the cellular RAT over the WLAN RAT for a class of traffic. The selected RAT may be selected based at least in part on the determined availability of the cellular RAT, the determined lower priority of the WLAN, and the measurements. The operation(s) at block2025may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the RAT selector845or945described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

At block2030, the method2000may include serving the class of traffic based at least in part on the selected RAT. In some examples, the class of traffic may include a gateway connection associated with an APN, and serving the class of traffic may include at least one of initiating the gateway connection, offloading the gateway connection, or performing a handover of the gateway connection. In some examples, the class of traffic may include all of the traffic routed to a default route by the operating system, such as Internet traffic. The operation(s) at block2030may be performed using the wireless communication manager820or920described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9, the UE wireless communication manager1150described with reference toFIG. 11, or the traffic manager850or950described with reference toFIG. 8 or 9.

In some examples, the operation(s) at block2030may also or alternatively include determining that no class of traffic is using a RAT (e.g., a WLAN RAT), and preventing or terminating an association with the RAT.

FIG. 21is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method2100for wireless communication at a network access device, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. For clarity, the method2100is described below with reference to aspects of one or more of the network access devices (e.g., base stations) described with reference toFIG. 1, 2, 3, or12, or aspects of the apparatus described with reference toFIG. 10. In some examples, a network access device may execute one or more sets of codes to control the functional elements of the network access device to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the network access device may perform one or more of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At block2105, the method2100may include indicating that the network access device supports a cellular RAT over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, indicating that the network access device supports the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may include transmitting a measurement configuration for a predetermined radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band may include a 5 GHz radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, the predetermined radio frequency spectrum band may include the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some examples, indicating that the network access device supports the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may include transmitting, in a BCCH, an indication that the network access device supports the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The operation(s) at block2105may be performed using the wireless communication manager1020described with reference toFIG. 10, the network access device wireless communication manager1260described with reference toFIG. 12, or the RAT capability indicator1035described with reference toFIG. 10.

At block2110, the method2100may optionally include transmitting an indication of at least one carrier frequency of at least one usable carrier of the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The operation(s) at block2110may be performed using the wireless communication manager1020described with reference toFIG. 10, the network access device wireless communication manager1260described with reference toFIG. 12, or the RAT capability indicator1035described with reference toFIG. 10.

At block2115, the method2100may include indicating that a WLAN has a lower priority than a cellular network associated with the cellular RAT. In some examples, the indication may include an identifier of the WLAN. In some examples, the WLAN may be a WLAN operated by a same operator that operates the cellular network. In some examples, the indication that the WLAN has the lower priority than the cellular network may indicate that the WLAN has the lower priority than the cellular network for a class of traffic (which may indicate, or imply, that the WLAN has a priority that is equal to or higher than the priority of the cellular network for other classes of traffic). The operation(s) at block2115may be performed using the wireless communication manager1020described with reference toFIG. 10, the network access device wireless communication manager1260described with reference toFIG. 12, or the network priority identifier1045described with reference toFIG. 10.

At block2120, the method2100may include communicating with at least one UE based at least in part on the cellular RAT over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The operation(s) at block2120may be performed using the wireless communication manager1020described with reference toFIG. 10, the network access device wireless communication manager1260described with reference toFIG. 12, or the unlicensed communication manager1040described with reference toFIG. 10.

The methods1300,1400,1500,1600,1700,1800,1900,2000, and2100described with reference toFIGS. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21are examples of implementations of techniques described in the present disclosure, and the operations of the methods1300,1400,1500,1600,1700,1800,1900,2000, and2100may be rearranged, combined with other operations of the same or different methods, or otherwise modified, such that other implementations are possible. Operations may also be added to the methods1300,1400,1500,1600,1700,1800,1900,2000, and2100. In some examples, aspects of the methods1300,1400,1500,1600,1700,1800,1900, or2000may be combined.