Method and apparatus for offloading backhaul traffic

US9526056B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• InterDigital Patent Holdings, Inc. · FR

Inventors

• John L. Tomici · Southold, US
• Prabhakar R. Chitrapu · Blue Bell, US
• Ayaskant Rath · Brooklyn, US
• Angelo Cuffaro · Laval, CA
• Brian Kiernan · Linglestown, US
• Joseph M. Murray · Trimble, US
• Ravikumar V. Pragada · Collegeville, US
• Alexander Reznik · Titusville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 15, 2013
• Grant date: Dec 20, 2016
• Expiry date: Mar 15, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04W92/20
• WIPO field: Digital communication
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus for offloading backhaul traffic are disclosed. A first base station may detect a condition triggering backhaul traffic offloading for a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU). The first base station may establish a wireless connection with a second base station, and offload at least one bearer of the WTRU onto the second base station via the wireless connection. The first base station may be a macro-cell base station and the second base station may be a femto-cell base station having a wired connection to Internet and a mobile operator core network. The first or second base station may include a relay functionality and act as a relay between the WTRU and the other base station. The backhaul link may be established using a Uu, Un, X2 interface or any other interface over a licensed or license-exempt frequency, a TV white space frequency, etc.