WO2018063456A1

WO2018063456A1 - Ue capabilities for elwa

Info

Publication number: WO2018063456A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/036975
Authority: WO
Inventors: Umesh PHUYAL; Alexander Sirotkin; Richard C. Burbidge; Candy YIU
Original assignee: Intel IP Corporation
Priority date: 2016-09-30
Filing date: 2017-06-12
Publication date: 2018-04-05
Also published as: DE112017004288T5

Abstract

An apparatus for a user equipment (UE) associated with a long-term evolution - wireless local area network aggregation (LWA) network, that facilitates UE capability indication associated with 3GPP release-14 enhanced LWA (eLWA) features is disclosed. The apparatus comprises one or more processors configured to generate a UE capability indication message comprising information on one or more eLWA features supported by the UE. The apparatus further comprises a radio frequency (RF) interface configured to provide the UE capability indication message to an RF circuitry for subsequent transmission to an eNodeB associated therewith, in order to provide an indication of the eLWA features supported by the UE to the eNodeB.

Description

UE CAPABILITIES FOR ELWA REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional Application No. 62/402,939, filed September 30, 2016, entitled "ELWA UE CAPABILITIES FOR ELWA", the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to long-term evolution (LTE) - wireless local area network (WLAN) aggregation (LWA) and more specifically to an apparatus and a method for indicating user equipment (UE) capabilities relating to 3^rd generation partnership project (3GPP) release 14 enhanced LWA (eLWA) features to an eNodeB associated with an LWA network (i.e., a network that supports LWA).

BACKGROUND

[0003] In recent years, mobile data usage has been increasing at an exponential rate by almost doubling every year and it is expected to continue. LTE is currently the latest of the various generations of successful and widely used technologies for cellular networks operating over licensed bands. The usage of unlicensed spectrum provides an attractive opportunity for operators to help support their subscribers by increasing network data capacity. Currently, Wi-Fi technology has been widely adopted in these unlicensed bands, and serves as one of the readily available means to access the large amount of the unlicensed spectrum.

[0004] LTE-WLAN aggregation (LWA) is a technology defined by the 3GPP. LWA networks provides seamless integration of LTE and wireless local area network (WLAN) radio links, by linking the Wi-Fi traffic to the mobile operator's network (e.g., LTE) and having the LTE network decide the utilization of Wi-Fi in unlicensed network in conjunction with LTE in the licensed spectrum. In some embodiments, LWA networks offers seamless usage of both LTE and Wi-Fi networks, and substantially increased performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Some examples of circuits, apparatuses and/or methods will be described in the following by way of example only. In this conte8, reference will be made to the accompanying Figures.

[0006] Fig. 1 depicts a simplified block diagram of a LTE-WLAN aggregation (LWA) network, according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0007] Fig. 2 depicts an example implementation of a LWA network that facilitates UE capability indication of eLWA features associated with the 3GPP release-14 enhanced LWA (eLWA) work item, according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0008] Fig. 3 depicts an example implementation of a LWA network that facilitates UE capability indication of eLWA features associated with the 3GPP release-14 enhanced LWA (eLWA) work item, according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

[0009] Fig. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus for use in a user equipment (UE) in a LWA network that facilitates UE capability indication associated with the release-14 eLWA features, according to the various embodiments described herein.

[0010] Fig. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus for use in an eNodeB in a LWA network that facilitates UE capability indication associated with the release-14 eLWA features, according to the various embodiments described herein.

[0011] Fig. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method for a user equipment (UE) in a LWA network that facilitates UE capability indication relating to 3GPP release-14 eLWA features, according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0012] Fig. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a method for an eNodeB in a LWA network that facilitates UE capability indication relating to 3GPP release-14 eLWA features, according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 8 illustrates example components of a device, in accordance with some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] In one embodiment of the disclosure, an apparatus for a user equipment (UE) associated with a long-term evolution - wireless local area network aggregation (LWA) network is disclosed. The apparatus comprises one or more processors to generate a UE capability indication message comprising information on one or more eLWA features supported by the UE; and a radio frequency (RF) interface to provide the UE capability indication message to an RF circuitry for subsequent transmission to an eNodeB associated therewith, in order to provide an indication of the eLWA features supported by the UE to the eNodeB.

[0015] In one embodiment of the disclosure, an apparatus for a eNodeB associated with a long-term evolution - wireless local area network aggregation (LWA) network is disclosed. The apparatus comprises one or more processors to receive a UE capability indication message from a UE associated therewith, wherein the UE capability indication message comprises information on one or more eLWA features supported by the UE; and process the UE capability indication message, in order to identify the eLWA features supported by the UE.

[0016] In one embodiment of the disclosure, an apparatus for a user equipment (UE) associated with a LWA network is disclosed. The apparatus comprises one or more processors to generate a UE capability indication message comprising one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, indicative of one or more eLWA features supported by the UE; or a predefined UE class or a predefined UE category associated with the UE, indicative of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE. The apparatus further comprises a radio frequency (RF) interface configured to provide the UE capability indication message to an RF circuitry for subsequent transmission to an eNodeB associated therewith, in order to provide an indication of the eLWA features supported by the UE to the eNodeB.

[0017] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout, and wherein the illustrated structures and devices are not necessarily drawn to scale. As utilized herein, terms "component," "system," "interface," "circuit" and the like are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, hardware, software (e.g., in execution), and/or firmware. For example, a component can be a processor (e.g., a microprocessor, a controller, or other processing device), a process running on a processor, a controller, an object, an executable, a program, a storage device, a computer, a tablet PC and/or a user equipment (e.g., mobile phone, etc.) with a processing device. By way of illustration, an application running on a server and the server can also be a component. One or more components can reside within a process, and a component can be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. A set of elements or a set of other components can be described herein, in which the term "set" can be interpreted as "one or more."

[0018] Further, these components can execute from various computer readable storage media having various data structures stored thereon such as with a module, for example. The components can communicate via local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting with another component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a network, such as, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network, or similar network with other systems via the signal).

[0019] As another example, a component can be an apparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical parts operated by electric or electronic circuitry, in which the electric or electronic circuitry can be operated by a software application or a firmware application executed by one or more processors. The one or more processors can be internal or e8ernal to the apparatus and can execute at least a part of the software or firmware application. As yet another example, a component can be an apparatus that provides specific functionality through electronic components without mechanical parts; the electronic components can include one or more processors therein to execute software and/or firmware that confer(s), at least in part, the functionality of the electronic components.

[0020] Use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or". That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from conte8, "X employs A or B" is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then "X employs A or B" is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles "a" and "an" as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean "one or more" unless specified otherwise or clear from conte8 to be directed to a singular form. Furthermore, to the e8ent that the terms "including", "includes", "having", "has", "with", or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term

"comprising."

[0021] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers may be used in different drawings to identify the same or similar elements. In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth such as particular structures, architectures, interfaces, techniques, etc. in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of various embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure that the various aspects of the various embodiments may be practiced in other examples that depart from these specific details. In certain instances, descriptions of well-known devices, circuits, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the various embodiments with unnecessary detail.

[0022] As indicated above, LWA networks offer seamless usage of both LTE and Wi- Fi networks, thereby substantially increasing performance of cellular networks. In LWA networks, Wi-Fi is scheduled in unlicensed bands and LTE in licensed bands, and the LWA networks enables LTE and WLAN interworking with data aggregation at the radio access network (i.e., the LTE), using an LTE dual-connectivity like framework. In some embodiments, an eNodeB associated with the LTE network schedules packets to be served on LTE and Wi-Fi radio links. LWA has been standardized by the 3GPP in Release-13. Release 14 enhanced LWA (eLWA) adds support for 60Ghz band

(802.1 1 ad and 802.1 l ay aka WiGig) with 2.1 6 GHz bandwidth, uplink aggregation, mobility improvements and other enhancements. In the following embodiments, the features of the LWA network defined in 3GPP release 13 are referred to as the "LWA features" and the features of the LWA network defined in the 3GPP release 14 are referred to as the "eLWA features".

[0023] In order to efficiently utilize the features of LWA, a UE in an LWA network has to support the various features or functionalities of the LWA, as defined by 3GPP release 1 3 and release 14. In some embodiments, a UE in an LWA network may not support all the LWA features defined in release-13 and the eLWA features defined in release-14. Further, the LWA network (e.g., an eNodeB associated with the LTE network) should be aware of the UE capabilities relating to the LWA features and eLWA features supported by the UE, in order to efficiently schedule the data packets on the LTE and Wi-Fi links. Therefore, a method to indicate the LWA features and the eLWA features supported by the UE, to the LWA network (e.g., an eNodeB associated with the LTE network) is required, in order to enable the eNodeB associated with the LTE network to schedule packets to be served on LTE and Wi-Fi radio links. In particular, a method to indicate the release-14 eLWA features supported by the UE, to the LWA network is proposed in this disclosure.

[0024] Fig. 1 depicts a simplified block diagram of a LTE-WLAN aggregation (LWA) network 100, according to one embodiment of the disclosure. The LWA network 100 comprises a UE 102, an eNodeB 104 and a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 106. However, in other embodiments, the LWA network 100 can comprise a plurality of UEs, eNodeBs and APs. In some embodiments, the eNodeB 104 is associated with an evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) of a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) long-term evolution (LTE) network. The Wi-Fi AP 106 comprises a wireless local area network (WLAN) and may be operated according to existing WLAN standards. In some embodiments, the LWA network 100 enables internetworking between the LTE network (e.g., the eNodeB 104) and the WLAN (e.g., the Wi-Fi AP 106) with data aggregation at the radio access network (e.g., the LTE network), thereby providing additional bandwidth to operators. The LWA network 100 further comprises an LTE link 108 (i.e., an air interface) that enables communication between the UE 102 and the eNodeB 104 over LTE, and a Wi-Fi link 1 10 (i.e., an air interface) that enables communication between the UE 102 and the Wi-Fi AP 106 over Wi-Fi. In some embodiments, Wi-Fi is scheduled in unlicensed bands and LTE is scheduled in licensed bands.

[0025] The UE 102 can comprise a mobile phone, a laptop, a tablet computer etc. and can be configured to communicate with both the eNodeB 104 and the Wi-Fi AP 106. That is, in some embodiments, the UE 102 can be configured to provide uplink (UL) data to the eNodeB 104 and/or the AP 106, and further receive downlink (DL) data from the eNodeB 104 and/or the AP 106. In some embodiments, the UE 102 is configured by the network (e.g., the eNodeB 104), so that the UE 102 utilizes the LWA network's LTE link 108 and Wi-Fi link 1 10 simultaneously. That is, in some

embodiments, the eNodeB 104 is configured to schedule data packets to be served on both the LTE link 1 08 and the Wi-Fi link 1 10. In LWA networks (for example, the LWA network 100), the eNodeB (e.g., the eNodeB 104) is the anchor node for both data and control planes, and connects to core network (e.g., evolved packet core (EPC) of LTE networks) via existing interfaces. In LWA networks, the Wi-Fi resources are managed through the LTE network (e.g., the eNodeB 104). In some embodiments, the eNodeB 104 (i.e., the LTE network) and the Wi-Fi AP 106 (i.e., the WLAN) are deployed as collocated LWA and in other embodiments, the eNodeB 104 (i.e., the LTE network) and the Wi-Fi AP 106 (i.e., the WLAN) are deployed as non-collocated LWA. In collocated LWA, the eNodeB 104 and the Wi-Fi AP 106 are integrated, and in the non-collocated LWA, the eNodeB 104 and the Wi-Fi AP 106 are not integrated (e.g., at different physical locations). Further, in the non-collocated LWA, an interface (e.g., Xw) between the eNodeB 104 and the Wi-Fi AP 106 is utilized.

[0026] The 3^rd generation partnership project (3GPP) release-13 and release-14 have standardized certain features, for example, LWA features (in release-13) and enhanced LWA (eLWA) features (in release-14), that is supported by a LWA network (e.g., the LWA network 100). In some embodiments, in order for the UE 102 to efficiently operate in the LWA network 1 00, the UE 102 may be configured to support one or more of the LWA features and the eLWA features associated with the LWA network 100, defined by the 3GPP standards. In some embodiments, the UE 102 is configured to support one or more of the LWA features and the eLWA features through software upgrades of the UE 1 02. In order to perform efficient scheduling and to assign packets to LTE and WLAN links in the most efficient manner, the eNB 104 has to be aware of the LWA features and the eLWA features supported by the UE 102.

Therefore, in some embodiments, the eNodeB 104 may be configured to receive information on the LWA and eLWA features supported by the UE 1 02.

[0027] In some embodiments, the UE 1 02 may support all the LWA features and the eLWA features defined in the release-1 3 and release-14 of the 3GPP standards.

However, in other embodiments, the UE 102 may support only a set of the LWA features and the eLWA features defined in the release-13 and release-14 of the 3GPP standards. Therefore, in some embodiments, the UE 102 is configured to indicate the LWA features and the eLWA features supported by the UE 102 to the eNodeB 1 04, in order to enable the eNodeB 104 to efficiently schedule the data packets. In this disclosure, an apparatus and a method to indicate UE capabilities relating to the support the 3GPP release-14 eLWA features is disclosed in the following embodiments. In some embodiments, the UE 102 is configured to indicate the eLWA features supported by the UE 102 to the eNodeB 104, when the UE 102 powers on (e.g., during radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment, attach procedure etc.). However, in other embodiments, the UE capabilities relating to the support of the eLWA features can be indicated to the eNodeB 104 at other instances. In some embodiments, the eLWA features comprises one or more features defined in the 3^rd generation partnership project (3GPP) release 14 work item on enhanced LWA (eLWA). Some of the eLWA features include (but not limited to),

• Uplink data transmission on WLAN, including uplink bearer switch and bearer split.

• Mobility optimizations, for example, intra and inter eNodeB handover (HO)

without WLAN termination (WT) change and improvements for change of WT.

• Potential enhancements to support 60 GHz new band and channels.

• Increased data rates for 802.1 1 ax, 802.1 1 ad and 802.1 1 ay (e.g., by packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) optimizations). Some example enhancements may include, but not limited to, concatenation at PDCP layer, PDCP encryption overhead reduction for packets sent over WLAN etc.

• Additional information collection and feedback, for example, throughput

indication, bandwidth indication etc. for better estimation of available WLAN capacity to improve LWA performance.

• Automatic neighbor relation (ANR) for LWA, for example, for the discovery of WLANs under eNodeB coverage.

• Increased buffer size, for example, L2 buffer size etc.

[0028] In some embodiments, the UE 102 can be configured to generate a UE capability indication message 109 comprising information on one or more eLWA features supported by the UE 102, in order to indicate the eLWA features supported by the UE 102 to the eNodeB 104. In this embodiment, the UE capability indication message 109 is configured to indicate only the eLWA features supported by the UE 102, however, in other embodiments, the UE capability indication message can be configured to indicate the LWA features or the eLWA features or both. In some embodiments, the UE capability indication message 109 can comprise one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, in order to indicate the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE 102 to the eNodeB 104, further details of which are given in an embodiment below. In some embodiments, the UE capability indication message can comprise or can be equivalent to the UE capability information message defined in the technical specification (TS) 36.331 . In some embodiments, the UE capability indication message 109 is provided by the UE 102 to the eNodeB 104 using radio resource control (RRC) signaling. In some embodiments, the UE capability indication message 109 is provided by the UE 102 to the eNodeB 104, in response to a UE capability request message 1 1 1 from the eNodeB 104. For example, in some embodiments, the eNodeB 104 may provide a UE capability request message 1 1 1 to the UE 102, wherein the UE capability request message 1 1 1 comprises a request for information on the one or more features supported by the UE 102. In some embodiments, the UE capability request message 1 1 1 may be provided to the UE 102 from the eNodeB 104, using an RRC reconfiguration message and the UE capability indication message 109 may be provided by the UE 102 to the eNodeB 104, using RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[0029] Further, in some embodiments, the UE capability indication message 109 can comprise information on a predefined UE class or a predefined UE category associated with the UE 102. In some embodiments, the predefined UE class or the predefined UE category is indicative of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE 102, further details of which are given in an embodiment below. In some embodiments, the predefined UE class or the predefined UE category is mapped to a set of eLWA features of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE 102. In some embodiments, the UE capability indication message 109 comprising information on a predefined UE class or a predefined UE category associated with the UE 102 is provided to the eNodeB 104, during the attach procedure of the UE 102 to the eNodeB 104. However, other instances of providing the UE capability indication message 109 comprising the predefined UE class or the predefined UE category, to the eNodeB 104, is also contemplated to be within the scope of this disclosure.

[0030] Fig. 2 depicts an example implementation of a LWA network 200 that facilitates UE capability indication of eLWA features associated with the 3GPP release- 14 enhanced LWA (eLWA) work item, according to one embodiment of the disclosure. In this embodiment, the UE capability indication relating to the eLWA features is provided by the UE using one or more capability indication bits. In some embodiments, the LWA network 200 is similar to the LWA network 100 in Fig. 1 and is capable of supporting the eLWA features, as defined above in Fig. 1 . The LWA network 200 comprises a UE 202, an eNodeB 204 and a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 206. In some embodiments, the UE 202 is configured to provide a UE capability indication message 21 0 to the eNodeB 204, in order to provide an indication of the eLWA features supported by the UE 202 to the eNodeB 204.

[0031] In some embodiments, the UE capability indication message 210 comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, indicative of one or more eLWA features supported by the UE 202. In some embodiments, a predefined association exists between the one or more UE capability indication bits and the one or more eLWA features. Further, in some embodiments, it is assumed that both the UE and the eNodeB are aware of the one or more UE capability indication bits and the above indicated predefined association. Upon receiving the UE capability indication message 21 0, the eNodeB 204 is configured to process the UE capability indication message 21 0 and identify the eLWA features supported by the UE 202, based on the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits within the UE capability indication message 210. In some embodiments, the UE capability indication message 21 0 enables the eNodeB 204 to efficiently schedule the data packets, based on the information of the eLWA features supported by the UE 202.

[0032] In some embodiments, the UE capability indication message 210 is provided to the eNodeB 204 using radio resource control (RRC) signaling (e.g., during RRC connection establishment, attach procedure etc.). However, in other embodiments, the

UE capability indication message 210 can be provided to the eNodeB 204 from the UE

202, using other signals as well. In some embodiments, the UE capability indication message 210 is provided by the UE 202 to the eNodeB 204, in response to a UE capability request message 208 received from the eNodeB 204. In some embodiments, the UE capability request message 208 comprises a request for information associated with one or more UE capabilities supported by the UE 202, for example, the eLWA features supported by the UE 202. In such embodiments, the eNodeB 204 is configured to generate and provide the UE capability request message 208 to the UE

202, prior to receiving the UE capability indication message 210 from the UE 202. In such embodiments, if the UE capability request message 208 is lost for some reason, the eNodeB 204 has to detect it and provide the UE capability request message 208 to the UE 202 again, in order to receive the UE capability indication message 21 0 from the

UE 202. However, in other embodiments, the UE 202 can be configured to provide the

UE capability indication message 210, without receiving a UE capability request message 208 from the eNodeB 204. In some embodiments, the UE capability request message 208 can be provided to the UE 202 from the eNodeB 204, using RRC signaling, for example, RRC reconfiguration message. In such embodiments, the UE capability indication message 210 can be provided by the UE 202 to the eNodeB 204, using RRC reconfiguration complete message. In other embodiments, the UE capability request message 208 can be provided to the UE 202 from the eNodeB 204, using dedicated RRC signaling or broadcast signaling such as system information blocks (SIBs). Some examples of RRC messages that may be utilized to provide the UE capability indication message 210 from the UE 202 to the eNodeB 204 can include, but not limited to, RRC connection reestablishment complete message, RRC connection setup complete message, security mode complete message, security mode failure message, UE capability information message, UL information transfer message, RRC connection resume complete message etc.

[0033] In one embodiment, the UE capability indication message 210 comprises a single predefined UE capability indication bit that indicates the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE 202. In such embodiments, a single predefined UE capability indication bit is utilized to indicate the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE 202. In some embodiments, the one or more eLWA features indicated by the single predefined UE capability indication bit is predefined and can include one or more of (but not limited to):

• UL over W LAN

• HO enhancements including HO without WT change

• Support for 60GHz band

• High data rate enhancements

• Feedback enhancements, e.g., throughput indication, bandwidth indication

• ANR for LWA

• different buffer sizes such as increased L2 buffer size, etc.

[0034] In some embodiments, a value of the single predefined UE capability indication bit indicates if the one or more predefined eLWA features associated with the predefined UE capability indication bit is supported by the UE 202 or not. For example, if the value of the single predefined UE capability indication bit is 1 , then all the predefined eLWA features associated with the predefined UE capability indication bit is supported by the UE 202, and if the value of the single predefined UE capability indication bit is 0, then all the predefined eLWA features associated with the predefined UE capability indication bit is not supported by the UE 202. In some embodiments, the UE capability indication bit is predefined, and can be included as part of a UE capability information element (IE) in 3GPP specifications, by defining a parameter (e.g., a Iwa-r14 parameter) indicative of the single predefined UE capability indication bit. Table 1 and Table 2 below depicts a possible way of specifying the single predefined UE capability indication bit (e.g., Iwa-r14 parameter) in 3GPP specifications.

[0035] In particular, Table 1 depicts one possible way of including the single predefined UE capability indication bit for indicating the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE in 3GPP specifications, based on modifying the 3GPP technical specification (TS) 36.331 sub clause 6.3.6. Further, Table 2 depicts another possible way of including the single predefined UE capability indication bit for indicating the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE in 3GPP specifications, based on modifying the 3GPP TS 36.306 sub clause 4.3.25. In tables 1 and 2, a Iwa parameter, Iwa-r14 is introduced to define the single predefined UE capability indication bit.

However, in other embodiments, the single predefined UE capability indication bit can be defined differently than above (e.g., other parameters can be utilized). Also, in other embodiments, the single predefined UE capability indication bit can be included in 3GPP specifications by modifying other related technical specifications and other information elements as well.

Table 1 : UE-EUTRA-Capability information element

Where the UE-EUTRA-Capability information element is modified to include the information element (IE) lwa-Parameters-r14 comprising the parameter Iwa-r14

1 .1 .2. 4.3.25 LWA parameters

4.3.25.1 Iwa-r13 and Iwa-r14

These parameters define whether the UE supports LWA as specified in TS 36.331 . A UE which supports LWA shall also support WLAN measurements. A UE which supports LWA shall also support switched bearer operation.

4.3.25.2 lwa-SplitBearer-r1 3

Only applicable if the UE supports LWA. This parameter defines whether the UE supports split bearer operation in LWA, i.e. the capability to receive data transmission for the same DRB on both LTE and WLAN simultaneously.

4.3.25.3 lwa-BufferSize-r13

Only applicable if the UE supports LWA. This parameter defines the L2 buffer size supported by the UE.

Table 2: LWA Parameters

[0054] In another embodiment, the UE capability indication message 210 comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits respectively associated with the one or more eLWA features associated with the UE 202, in order to indicate the respective eLWA features supported by the UE 202. In such embodiments, a respective UE capability indication bit is predefined for each of the eLWA features and each of the respective UE capability indication bits can be included as part of the UE capability information element (IE) in 3GPP specifications, by defining a respective parameter indicative of the respective UE capability indication bit. In some

embodiments, the predefined UE capability indication bits included within the UE capability indication message 210 can be respectively associated with one or more of the following release-14 eLWA features (but not limited to):

• UL over WLAN: Rel-14 LWA UEs may support UL via WLAN. As such, the UE may support LWA split bearer in the uplink or LWA bearers configured to use WLAN only or both.

• HO enhancements including HO without WT change

• Support for 60GHz band: The LWA UE may support WLAN in 60GHz band for LWA operation.

• High data rate enhancements: The example enhancements may include but not limited to concatenation at PDCP layer, PDCP encryption overhead reduction for packets sent over WLAN etc.

• Feedback enhancements, e.g., throughput indication, bandwidth indication etc.

• ANR for LWA: the UE may need to support enhancements to measurement reporting and hence would also require a UE capability indication.

• Different buffer size: In one example, it may be possible to reuse L2 buffer sizes introduced for Rel-13 LWA by the Rel-14 eLWA UEs. In another example, new L2 buffer sizes may be introduced and the UE may indicate support for new buffer sizes separately.

[0055] Table 3 and Table 4 below depicts a possible way of specifying the predefined UE capability indication bits respectively associated with an eLWA feature in 3GPP specifications. In particular, Table 3a and 3b depicts one possible way of including the predefined UE capability indication bits (by defining corresponding Iwa parameters) for indicating the respective eLWA features supported by the UE in 3GPP specifications, based on modifying the 3GPP technical specification (TS) 36.331 sub clause 6.3.6. Further, Table 4 depicts another possible way of including the predefined UE capability indication bits (i.e., the predefined Iwa parameters) for indicating the respective eLWA features supported by the UE in 3GPP specifications, based on modifying the 3GPP TS 36.306 sub clause 4.3.25.

Table 3a: UE-EUTRA-Capability information element

Indicates whether the UE supports enhancements to feedback metrics such as bandwidth and throughput indication for LWA operation.

Iwa-highDataRate

Indicates whether the UE supports enhancements for high data rate

transmission for LWA operation.

Iwa-L2buffer

Indicates whether the UE supports the L2 buffer sizes.

Table 3b: UE-EUTRA-Capability field descriptions

1 .1 .3.4.3.25 LWA parameters

4.3.25.1 Iwa-r1

This parameter defines whether the UE supports LWA as specified in TS 36.331 [5]. A UE which supports LWA shall also support WLAN measurements. A UE which supports LWA shall also support switched bearer operation.

4.3.25.2 lwa-SplitBearer-r1 3

4.3.25.3 lwa-BufferSize-r13

4.3.25.4 lwa-UL-r14

Only applicable if the UE supports LWA. This parameter indicates whether the UE supports UL over WLAN for LWA operation. A UE which supports UL over WLAN shall support LWA split bearers in UL.

4.3.25.5 Iwa- HOwithoutWTchange-r14 Only applicable if the UE supports LWA. This parameter indicates whether the UE supports enhancements to HO operation without WT change for LWA operation.

4.3.25.6 Iwa-band60support-r14

Only applicable if the UE supports LWA. This parameter indicates whether the UE supports WLAN in 60GHz band for LWA operation.

4.3.25.7 Iwa-anr-r14

Only applicable if the UE supports LWA. This parameter indicates whether the UE supports automatic neighbor relation function for LWA operation.

4.3.25.8 Iwa- enh-feedback-r14

Only applicable if the UE supports LWA. This parameter indicates whether the UE supports enhancements to feedback metrics such as bandwidth and throughput indication for LWA operation.

4.3.25.9 Iwa-highdatarate-r14

Only applicable if the UE supports LWA. This parameter indicates whether the UE supports enhancements for high data rate transmission (e.g. concatenation at PDCP layer, PDCP encryption overhead reduction for packets sent over WLAN) for LWA operation.

4.3.25.1 0 lwa-L2buffer-r14

Table 4: LWA parameters

[0080] Tables 3a, 3b and 4 indicates one possible way of defining Iwa parameters for indicating the respective eLWA feature supported by the UE. In other embodiments, however, the predefined UE capability indication bits can be defined differently than above (e.g., other parameters can be utilized). Also, in other embodiments, the predefined UE capability indication bits (i.e., the predefined Iwa parameters) can be included in the 3GPP specifications by modifying other related technical specifications and other information elements as well. Further, in other embodiments, the predefined UE capability indication bits can comprise additional bits or parameters indicative of other capabilities (e.g., other eLWA features) supported by the UE. For example, a parameter, wlan-PeriodicMeas-r14 can be included in table 3a above, where wlan- PeriodicMeas-r14 indicates whether the UE supports periodic reporting of WLAN measurements. Further, wlan-PeriodicMeas-r14 can also be included in the Tables 3b and 4 above. Similarly, another parameter, wlan-SupportedDataRate-r14 can be included in table 3a above, where wlan-SupportedDataRate-r14 indicates the maximum WLAN data rate supported by the UE over all LWA bearers. In some embodiments, actual value of supported data rate is field value ^* 1 0 Mbps (i.e., value 1 corresponds to 10 Mbps, value 2 corresponds to 20 Mbps and so on). Further, wlan- SupportedDataRate-r14 can also be included in the Tables 3b and 4 above. In addition, in some embodiments, for example, the features associated with a predefined parameter, for example, the Iwa- enh-feedback-r14, that is, bandwidth indication and throughput indication can be indicated using the single bit (i.e., the Iwa- enh-feedback- r14) or using separate bits.

[0081] In yet another embodiment, the UE capability indication message 210 comprises one or more UE capability indication bits, each UE capability indication bit of the one or more UE capability indication bits is indicative of (or associated with) a set of eLWA features of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE. In some embodiments, the set of eLWA features comprise a single eLWA feature, however, in other embodiments, the set of eLWA fearures can comprise a plurality of eLWA features. In such embodiments, the eLWA features may be divided into groups and UE capability bits may be introduced to indicate that a certain group of features are supported by the UE while other group of features are not. In some embodiments, the one or more UE capability indication bits is predefined and can be included as part of a UE capability information element (IE) in 3GPP specifications, by defining a respective parameter indicative of a respective UE capability indication bit. In some embodiments, the set of eLWA features associated with each UE capability indication bit of the one or more UE capability indication bits is predefined and can include one or more of (but not limited to): UL over W LAN

• HO enhancements including HO without WT change

• Support for 60GHz band

• High data rate enhancements

• Feedback enhancements, e.g., throughput indication, bandwidth indication

• ANR for LWA

• Different buffer sizes such as increased L2 buffer size, etc.

[0082] In one example implementation, a separate capability indication bit is introduced for 60 GHz support, while other capability indication bit is introduced to indicate whether other eLWA features (other than 60GHz support) are supported by the UE. In this example embodiment, the predefined UE capability indication bits included within the UE capability indication message 210 can include one or more of the following parameters:

• band60support-r14: This parameter indicates whether the UE supports WLAN in 60GHz band for LWA operation.

• Iwa-r14 This parameter indicates whether the UE supports one or more of the other eLWA features (other than the 60GHz support) for LWA operation.

In this example embodiment, only two capability indication bits are utilized. However, in other embodiments, additional UE capability indication bits can be utilized to define other groups of eLWA features supported by the UE. Further, in other embodiments, the UE capability indication bits can be defined differently than above. That is, in other embodiments, other parameters can be utilized depending on the chosen set of eLWA features.

[0083] Table 5 and Table 6 below depicts a possible way of specifying the predefined UE capability indication bits respectively associated with a set of eLWA features in 3GPP specifications. In particular, Table 5a and 5b depicts one possible way of including the predefined UE capability indication bits (by defining corresponding Iwa parameters as in the example given above) for indicating the respective set of eLWA features supported by the UE in 3GPP specifications, based on modifying the 3GPP technical specification (TS) 36.331 sub clause 6.3.6. Further, Table 6 depicts another possible way of including the predefined UE capability indication bits (i.e., the predefined Iwa parameters) for indicating the respective set of eLWA features supported by the UE in 3GPP specifications, based on modifying the 3GPP TS 36.306 sub clause 4.3.25.

a e a: - - apa ty n ormat on e ement

Table 5b: UE-EUTRA-Capability field descriptions

1 .1 .4.4.3.25 LWA parameters 4.3.25.1 Iwa-r13 and Iwa-r14 These parameters define whether the UE supports LWA as specified in TS 36.331 [5]. A UE which supports LWA shall also support WLAN measurements. A UE which supports LWA shall also support switched bearer operation.

4.3.25.2 lwa-SplitBearer-r1 3

4.3.25.3 lwa-BufferSize-r13

4.3.25.4 band60support-r14

Table 6: LWA parameters

[00103] Tables 5a, 5b and 6 indicates one possible way of defining Iwa parameters defined to indicate the respective group of eLWA feature supported by the UE. In other embodiments, however, the predefined UE capability indication bits can be defined differently than above (e.g., other parameters can be utilized). Also, in other embodiments, the predefined UE capability indication bits (i.e., the predefined Iwa parameters) can be included in the 3GPP specifications by modifying other related technical specifications and other information elements as well. Further, in other embodiments, the predefined UE capability indication bits can comprise additional bits or parameters indicative of other groups or sets of eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00104] Furthermore, in some embodiments, a pre-existing parameter or a preexisting UE capability indication bit defined in association with the release-13 LWA features (e.g., the release-1 3 parameters in the UE capability lEs as given in tables 1 , 3a, 5a etc.) may be reused to indicate one or more eLWA features supported by the UE. For example, in one embodiment, a pre-existing IE WLAN-Bandlndicator-r13, indicative of a list of WLAN bands supported by the UE, defined in the technical specification (TS) 36.331 , can be reused to indicate the support of 60 GHz band capability. In some embodiments, the IE WLAN-Bandlndicator-r13 can be included as part of the IRAT- parametersWLAN-r13 IE defined in TS 36.331 . However, in other embodiments, other pre-existing parameters may also be utilized to indicate the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00105] Fig. 3 depicts an example implementation of a LWA network 300 that facilitates UE capability indication of eLWA features associated with the 3GPP release- 14 enhanced LWA (eLWA) work item, according to another embodiment of the disclosure. In this embodiment, the UE capability indication relating to the eLWA features is provided by the UE, based on pre-configured UE classes or UE categories. In some embodiments, the LWA network 300 is similar to the LWA network 100 in Fig. 1 and is capable of supporting the eLWA features, as defined above in Fig. 1 . The LWA network 300 comprises a UE 302, an eNodeB 304 and a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 306. In some embodiments, the UE 302 is configured to provide a UE capability indication message 310 to the eNodeB 304, in order to provide an indication of the eLWA features supported by the UE 302 to the eNodeB 304.

[00106] In some embodiments, the UE capability indication message 310 comprises information on a pre-defined UE class or a UE category associated with the UE, indicative of a set of eLWA features supported by the UE. In some embodiments, the UE class or the UE category associated with the UE may be predefined and may be mapped to a set of eLWA features of the one or more eLWA features described above with respect to Fig. 1 . In some embodiments, UE categories or classes defined in the release- 1 3 LWA may be reused and mapped to the one or more eLWA features.

However, in other embodiments, new UE categories or classes mapped to the one or more eLWA features associated with the release-14 eLWA may be defined. In some embodiments, it is assumed that both the UE 302 and the network (e.g., the eNodeB 304) are aware of the predefined UE classes and categories, and the mapping with the eLWA features. Upon receiving the UE capability indication message 31 0, the eNodeB 304 is configured to process the UE capability indication message 310 and identify the eLWA features supported by the UE 302, based on the predefined UE class or category associated with the UE 302. In some embodiments, the UE capability indication message 310 enables the eNodeB 304 to efficiently schedule the data packets, based on the information of the eLWA features supported by the UE 302.

[00107] In some embodiments, the UE capability indication message 310 is provided to the eNodeB 204 during attach procedure. That is, in some embodiments, the UE capability indication message 310 is provided to the eNodeB 204, using or as a part of one or more signals provided by the UE 302 to the eNodeB 304, during the initial attach procedure of the UE 302 to the network (e.g., the eNodeB 304). In some embodiments, the UE capability indication message 310 may be provided to the eNodeB 304 using radio resource control (RRC) signaling (e.g., during RRC connection establishment, attach procedure etc.). However, in other embodiments, the UE capability indication message can be provided to the eNodeB 304 from the UE 302, using other signals as well.

[00108] In some embodiments, the UE capability indication message 310 is provided by the UE 302 to the eNodeB 304, in response to a UE capability request message 308 received from the eNodeB 304. In some embodiments, the UE capability request message 308 comprises a request for information associated with the eLWA features associated with the UE 202. In such embodiments, the eNodeB 304 is configured to generate and provide the UE capability request message 308 to the UE 202, prior to receiving the UE capability indication message 310 from the UE 202.

However, in other embodiments, the UE 302 can be configured to provide the UE capability indication message 310, without receiving a UE capability request message 308 from the eNodeB 304. In some embodiments, the UE capability request message 308 can be provided to the UE 302 from the eNodeB 304, using RRC signaling. In some embodiments, the UE capability request message 308 can be provided to the UE 302 from the eNodeB 304, using dedicated RRC signaling or broadcast signaling such as system information blocks (SIBs). [00109] Fig. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus 400 for use in a user equipment (UE) in a LWA network that facilitates UE capability indication associated with the release-14 eLWA features, according to the various embodiments described herein. The UE can be described with reference to the UE 202 in Fig. 2 for UE capability indication using one or more predefined UE capability indication bits and with reference to the UE 302 in Fig. 3 for UE capability indication using predefined UE class or UE category. The apparatus 400 includes a receiver circuit 420, a processing circuit 430, and a transmitter circuit 410. Further, in some embodiments, the apparatus 400 comprises a memory circuit 440 coupled to the processing circuit 430. Each of the receiver circuit 420 and the transmitter circuit 41 0 are configured to be coupled to one or more antennas, which can be the same or different antenna(s). In some

embodiments, the receiver circuit 420 and transmitter circuit 410 can have one or more components in common, and both can be included within a transceiver circuit, while in other aspects they are not. In various embodiments, the apparatus 400 can be included within a UE, for example, with apparatus 400 (or portions thereof) within a receiver and transmitter or a transceiver circuit of a UE.

[00110] For UE capability indication using one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, the apparatus 400 can be included within the UE 202 in the LWA network 200 in Fig. 2. In some embodiments, the processing circuit 430 is configured to generate a UE capability indication message (e.g., the UE capability indication message 21 0) and provide the UE capability indication message to an eNodeB (e.g., the eNodeB 204 in Fig. 2), via the transmitter circuit 41 0. In some embodiments, the processing circuit 430 is configured to provide the UE capability indication message to the eNodeB using radio resource control (RRC) signaling, as indicated above with respect to Fig. 2 above. In some embodiments, the UE capability indication message comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, indicative of one or more eLWA features supported by the UE (e.g., the UE 202 in Fig. 2). In some embodiments, the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits is stored within the memory circuit 440.

[00111 ] In some embodiments, the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits can comprise a single predefined UE capability indication bit that indicates the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE, as explained above with respect to Fig. 2. Alternately, in other embodiments, the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits can comprise one or more predefined UE capability indication bits respectively associated with the one or more eLWA features associated with the UE, in order to indicate the respective eLWA features supported by the UE, as explained above with respect to Fig. 2. Further, in some embodiments, the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits can comprise one or more UE capability indication bits, each UE capability indication bit of the one or more UE capability indication bits is indicative of a set of eLWA features of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE, as explained above with respect to Fig. 2.

[00112] In some embodiments, the processing circuit 430 is further configured to receive a UE capability request message (e.g., the UE capability request message 208 in Fig. 2), from the eNodeB, via the receiver circuit 420, prior to providing the UE capability indication message to the eNodeB. In some embodiments, the UE capability request message comprises a request for information associated with the one or more UE capabilities supported by the UE, for example, the eLWA features supported by the UE. However, in other embodiments, the processing circuit 430 may not receive the UE capability request message, from the eNodeB, prior to providing the UE capability indication message to the eNodeB. In some embodiments, the UE capability request message can be part of a RRC signal, for example, RRC reconfiguration message or RRC connection reconfiguration complete message. In such embodiments, the UE capability indication message can be provided by the processing circuit 430 to the eNodeB, using RRC reconfiguration complete message associated with long-term evolution (LTE) networks. In other embodiments, the UE capability request message can be part of a dedicated RRC signal or broadcast signal such as system information blocks (SIBs) from the eNodeB.

[00113] For UE capability indication using predefined UE class or UE category, the apparatus 400 can be included within the UE 302 in the LWA network 300 in Fig. 3. In such embodiments, the processing circuit 430 is configured to generate a UE capability indication message (e.g., the UE capability indication message 31 0) and provide the UE capability indication message to an eNodeB (e.g., the eNodeB 304 in Fig. 3), via the transmitter circuit 41 0. In some embodiments, the UE capability indication message comprises information on a predefined UE class or UE category associated with the UE, indicative of one or more eLWA features supported by the UE (e.g., the UE 302 in Fig. 3), as explained above with respect to Fig. 3. In some embodiments, the information on the predefined UE class or the UE category is stored within the memory circuit 440. In some embodiments, the processing circuit 430 is configured to provide the UE capability indication message to the eNodeB using one or more signals associated with the LTE attach procedure associated with the UE (e.g., the UE 302 in Fig. 3), as indicated above with respect to Fig. 3 above.

[00114] In some embodiments, the processing circuit 430 is configured to provide the UE capability indication message to the eNodeB using radio resource control (RRC) signaling (e.g., during RRC connection establishment, attach procedure etc.). However, in other embodiments, the processing circuit 430 can be configured to provide the UE capability indication message to the eNodeB, using other signals as well. In some embodiments, the processing circuit 430 is further configured to receive a UE capability request message (e.g., the UE capability request message 308 in Fig. 3), from the eNodeB, via the receiver circuit 420, prior to providing the UE capability indication message to the eNodeB. In some embodiments, the UE capability request message comprises a request for information associated with the one or more UE capabilities supported by the UE, for example, the eLWA features supported by the UE. However, in other embodiments, the processing circuit 430 may not receive the UE capability request message, from the eNodeB, prior to providing the UE capability indication message to the eNodeB.

[00115] Fig. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus 500 for use in an eNodeB in a LWA network that facilitates UE capability indication associated with the release-14 eLWA features, according to the various embodiments described herein. The eNodeB is described herein with reference to the eNodeB 204 in Fig. 2 in the LWA network 200 for UE capability indication using one or more predefined UE capability indication bits and with reference to the eNodeB 304 in Fig. 3 in the LWA network 300 for UE capability indication using a predefined UE class or UE category. The apparatus 500 includes a receiver circuit 520, a processing circuit 530, and a transmitter circuit 510. Further, in some embodiments, the apparatus 500 comprises a memory circuit 540 coupled to the processing circuit 530. Each of the receiver circuit 520 and the transmitter circuit 51 0 are configured to be coupled to one or more antennas, which can be the same or different antenna(s). Further, in some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a memory circuit 540 coupled to the processing circuit 530. In some embodiments, the receiver circuit 520 and the transmitter circuit 510 can have one or more components in common, and both can be included within a transceiver circuit, while in other aspects they are not. In various embodiments, the apparatus 500 can be included within an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node B (Evolved NodeB, eNodeB, or eNB).

[00116] For UE capability indication using one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, the apparatus 500 can be included within the eNodeB 204 in the LWA network 200 in Fig. 2. In such embodiments, the processing circuit 530 is configured to receive a UE capability indication message (e.g., the UE capability indication message 21 0) via the receiver circuit 520. In some embodiments, the UE capability indication message comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, indicative of one or more eLWA features supported by the UE (e.g., the UE 202 in Fig. 2). In some embodiments, the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits is stored within the memory circuit 540. Upon receiving the UE capability indication message, the processing circuit 530 is configured to process the UE capability indication message and identify the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE, based on the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits included within the UE capability indication message. In some embodiments, the processing circuit 530 is further configured to schedule data packets for the UE, based on the information of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00117] In some embodiments, the processing circuit 530 is further configured to generate and provide a UE capability request message (e.g., the UE capability request message 210) to the UE, via the transmitter circuit 510, prior to receiving the UE capability indication message from the UE. In some embodiments, the UE capability request message comprises a request for information associated with the one or more UE capabilities supported by the UE, for example, the eLWA features supported by the UE. However, in other embodiments, the processing circuit 530 may not provide the UE capability request message to the UE, as indicated above with respect to Fig. 2. In some embodiments, the processing circuit 530 is configured to provide the UE capability request message as part of an RRC signal associated with LTE (or a dedicated RRC signal) or broadcast signal such as system information blocks (SIBs). However, other possible ways of providing the UE capability request message by the processing circuit 530 are also contemplated to be within the scope of this disclosure.

[00118] For UE capability indication using predefined UE class or UE category, the apparatus 500 can be included within the eNodeB 304 in the LWA network 300 in Fig. 3. In such embodiments, the processing circuit 530 is configured to receive a UE capability indication message (e.g., the UE capability indication message 310), via the receiver circuit 520, from the UE (e.g., the UE 302 in Fig. 3). In some embodiments, the UE capability indication message comprises information on a predefined UE class or UE category associated with the UE, indicative of one or more eLWA features supported by the UE (e.g., the UE 302 in Fig. 3), as explained above with respect to Fig. 3. In some embodiments, the information on the predefined UE class or the UE category associated with the UE (or UEs in the LWA network in general) is stored within the memory circuit 540.

[00119] Upon receiving the UE capability indication message, the processing circuit 530 is configured to process the UE capability indication message and identify the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE, based on the UE class or the UE category included within the UE capability indication message. In some embodiments, the processing circuit 530 is further configured to schedule data packets for the UE, based on the information of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE. In some embodiments, the processing circuit 530 is further configured to generate and provide a UE capability request message (e.g., the UE capability request message 21 0) to the UE, via the transmitter circuit 51 0, prior to receiving the UE capability indication message from the UE. In some embodiments, the UE capability request message comprises a request for information associated with the one or more UE capabilities supported by the UE, for example, the eLWA features supported by the UE. However, in other embodiments, the processing circuit 530 may not provide the UE capability request message to the UE, as indicated above with respect to Fig. 2. In some embodiments, the processing circuit 530 is configured to provide the UE capability request message as part of an RRC signal associated with LTE (or a dedicated RRC signal) or broadcast signal such as system information blocks (SIBs). However, other possible ways of providing the UE capability request message by the processing circuit 530 are also contemplated to be within the scope of this disclosure.

[00120] Fig. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method 600 for a user equipment (UE) in a LWA network that facilitates UE capability indication relating to 3GPP release-14 eLWA features, according to one embodiment of the disclosure. The method 600 is explained herein with reference to the apparatus 400 in Fig. 4, the UE 202 in the LWA network 200 in Fig. 2 and the UE 302 in the LWA network 300 in Fig. 3. At 602, a UE capability request message (e.g., the UE capability request message 208 in Fig. 2 or the UE capability request message 308 in Fig. 3) is optionally received at the processing circuit 430 via the receiver circuit 420. In some embodiments, the UE capability request message comprises a request for information associated with the one or more UE capabilities supported by the UE, for example, the eLWA features supported by the UE. In some embodiments, the UE capability request message is received at the processing circuit 430, however, in other embodiments, the UE capability request message may not be received at the processing circuit 430.

[00121 ] At 604, a UE capability indication message comprising information on one or more eLWA features supported by the UE is generated at the processing circuit 430. In some embodiments, the UE capability indication message (e.g., the UE capability indication message 210 in Fig. 2) comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, in order to indicate the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE, as explained above with respect to Fig. 2. In other embodiments, the UE capability indication message (e.g., the UE capability indication message 31 0 in Fig. 3) comprises information on a predefined UE class or a predefined UE category associated with the UE, wherein the predefined UE class or the predefined UE category is indicative of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE, as explained above with respect to Fig. 3. [00122] In some embodiments, information on the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, and the predefined UE class and the predefined UE category are stored within the memory circuit 440. In some embodiments, the UE capability indication message is generated at the processing circuit 430, in response to the UE capability request message received at the processing circuit 430 at 602 above.

However, in other embodiments, the UE capability indication message is generated at the processing circuit 430, irrespective of receiving the UE capability request message at the processing circuit 430. At 606, the UE capability indication message is provided from the processing circuit 430 to an eNodeB associated therewith (e.g., the eNodeB 204 in Fig. 2 or the eNodeB 304 in Fig. 3), via the transmitter circuit 410, in order to provide an indication of the eLWA features supported by the UE to the eNodeB.

[00123] Fig. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a method 700 for an eNodeB in a LWA network that facilitates UE capability indication relating to 3GPP release-14 eLWA features, according to one embodiment of the disclosure. The method 700 is explained herein with reference to the apparatus 500 in Fig. 5, the eNodeB 204 in the LWA network 200 in Fig. 2 and the eNodeB 304 in the LWA network 300 in Fig. 3. At 702, a UE capability request message (e.g., the UE capability request message 208 in Fig. 2 or the UE capability request message 308 in Fig. 3) is optionally generated at the processing circuit 530 and provided to a UE associated therewith (e.g., the UE 202 in Fig. 2 or the UE 302 in Fig. 3), via the transmitter circuit 510. In some embodiments, the UE capability request message comprises a request for information associated with the one or more UE capabilities supported by the UE, for example, the eLWA features supported by the UE. In some embodiments, the UE capability request message is generated at the processing circuit 530 and provided to the UE, however, in other embodiments, the UE capability request message may not be generated at the processing circuit 530 and provided to the UE.

[00124] At 704, a UE capability indication message comprising information on one or more eLWA features supported by the UE is received at the processing circuit 530, via the receiver circuit 520. In some embodiments, the UE capability indication message (e.g., the UE capability indication message 210 in Fig. 2) comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, in order to indicate the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE, as explained above with respect to Fig. 2. In other embodiments, the UE capability indication message (e.g., the UE capability indication message 310 in Fig. 3) comprises information on a predefined UE class or a predefined UE category associated with the UE, wherein the predefined UE class or the predefined UE category is indicative of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE, as explained above with respect to Fig. 3.

[00125] In some embodiments, information on the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, and the predefined UE class and the predefined UE category are stored within the memory circuit 540. In some embodiments, the UE capability indication message is received at the processing circuit 530, in response to the UE capability request message provided to the UE at 702 above. However, in other embodiments, the UE capability indication message is received at the processing circuit 530, irrespective of providing the UE capability request message to the UE at 702 above. At 706, the UE capability indication message is processed at the processing circuit 530, in order to identify the eLWA features supported by the UE. In some embodiments, the eLWA features are identified based on the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits included within the UE capability indication message (e.g., the UE capability indication message 210 in Fig. 2). Alternately, in other embodiments, the eLWA features are identified based on the information on the predefined UE class or the predefined UE category associated with the UE, included within the UE capability indication message (e.g., the UE capability indication message 31 0 in Fig. 3).

[00126] While the methods are illustrated, and described above as a series of acts or events, it will be appreciated that the illustrated ordering of such acts or events are not to be interpreted in a limiting sense. For example, some acts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts or events apart from those illustrated and/or described herein. In addition, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement one or more aspects or embodiments of the disclosure herein. Also, one or more of the acts depicted herein may be carried out in one or more separate acts and/or phases.

[00127] FIG. 8 illustrates example components of a device 800 in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the device 800 may include application circuitry 802, baseband circuitry 804, Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry 806, front-end module (FEM) circuitry 808, one or more antennas 81 0, and power management circuitry (PMC) 81 2 coupled together at least as shown. The components of the illustrated device 800 may be included in a UE (e.g., the UE 102 in Fig. 1 , the UE 202 in Fig. 2 or the UE 302 in Fig. 3) or a RAN node (e.g., the eNodeB 104 in Fig. 1 , the eNodeB 204 in Fig. 2 or the eNodeB 304 in Fig. 3). In some embodiments, the device 800 may include less elements (e.g., a RAN node may not utilize application circuitry 802, and instead include a processor/controller to process IP data received from an EPC). In some embodiments, the device 800 may include additional elements such as, for example, memory/storage, display, camera, sensor, or input/output (I/O) interface. In other embodiments, the components described below may be included in more than one device (e.g., said circuitries may be separately included in more than one device for Cloud-RAN (C-RAN) implementations).

[00128] The application circuitry 802 may include one or more application processors. For example, the application circuitry 802 may include circuitry such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The processor(s) may include any combination of general-purpose processors and dedicated processors (e.g., graphics processors, application processors, etc.). The processors may be coupled with or may include memory/storage and may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory/storage to enable various applications or operating systems to run on the device 800. In some embodiments, processors of application circuitry 802 may process IP data packets received from an EPC.

[00129] The baseband circuitry 804 may include circuitry such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The baseband circuitry 804 may include one or more baseband processors or control logic to process baseband signals received from a receive signal path of the RF circuitry 806 and to generate baseband signals for a transmit signal path of the RF circuitry 806. Baseband processing circuity 804 may interface with the application circuitry 802 for generation and processing of the baseband signals and for controlling operations of the RF circuitry 806. For example, in some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 804 may include a third generation (3G) baseband processor 804A, a fourth generation (4G) baseband processor 804B, a fifth generation (5G) baseband processor 804C, or other baseband processor(s) 804D for other existing generations, generations in development or to be developed in the future (e.g., second generation (2G), si8h generation (6G), etc.). The baseband circuitry 804 (e.g., one or more of baseband processors 804A-D) may handle various radio control functions that enable communication with one or more radio networks via the RF circuitry 806. In other embodiments, some or all of the functionality of baseband processors 804A-D may be included in modules stored in the memory 804G and executed via a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 804E. The radio control functions may include, but are not limited to, signal modulation/demodulation, encoding/decoding, radio frequency shifting, etc. In some embodiments, modulation/demodulation circuitry of the baseband circuitry 804 may include Fast-Fourier Transform (FFT), precoding, or constellation mapping/demapping functionality. In some embodiments,

encoding/decoding circuitry of the baseband circuitry 804 may include convolution, tail- biting convolution, turbo, Viterbi, or Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) encoder/decoder functionality. Embodiments of modulation/demodulation and encoder/decoder functionality are not limited to these examples and may include other suitable functionality in other embodiments.

[00130] In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 804 may include one or more audio digital signal processor(s) (DSP) 804F. The audio DSP(s) 804F may be include elements for compression/decompression and echo cancellation and may include other suitable processing elements in other embodiments. Components of the baseband circuitry may be suitably combined in a single chip, a single chipset, or disposed on a same circuit board in some embodiments. In some embodiments, some or all of the constituent components of the baseband circuitry 804 and the application circuitry 802 may be implemented together such as, for example, on a system on a chip (SOC).

[00131 ] In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 804 may provide for communication compatible with one or more radio technologies. For example, in some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 804 may support communication with an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (EUTRAN) or other wireless metropolitan area networks (WMAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN). Embodiments in which the baseband circuitry 804 is configured to support radio communications of more than one wireless protocol may be referred to as multi-mode baseband circuitry.

[00132] RF circuitry 806 may enable communication with wireless networks using modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid medium. In various embodiments, the RF circuitry 806 may include switches, filters, amplifiers, etc. to facilitate the communication with the wireless network. RF circuitry 806 may include a receive signal path which may include circuitry to down-convert RF signals received from the FEM circuitry 808 and provide baseband signals to the baseband circuitry 804. RF circuitry 806 may also include a transmit signal path which may include circuitry to up-convert baseband signals provided by the baseband circuitry 804 and provide RF output signals to the FEM circuitry 808 for transmission.

[00133] In some embodiments, the receive signal path of the RF circuitry 806 may include mixer circuitry 806a, amplifier circuitry 806b and filter circuitry 806c. In some embodiments, the transmit signal path of the RF circuitry 806 may include filter circuitry 806c and mixer circuitry 806a. RF circuitry 806 may also include synthesizer circuitry 806d for synthesizing a frequency for use by the mixer circuitry 806a of the receive signal path and the transmit signal path. In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 806a of the receive signal path may be configured to down-convert RF signals received from the FEM circuitry 808 based on the synthesized frequency provided by synthesizer circuitry 806d. The amplifier circuitry 806b may be configured to amplify the down- converted signals and the filter circuitry 806c may be a low-pass filter (LPF) or bandpass filter (BPF) configured to remove unwanted signals from the down-converted signals to generate output baseband signals. Output baseband signals may be provided to the baseband circuitry 804 for further processing. In some embodiments, the output baseband signals may be zero-frequency baseband signals, although this is not a requirement. In some embodiments, mixer circuitry 806a of the receive signal path may comprise passive mixers, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[00134] In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 806a of the transmit signal path may be configured to up-convert input baseband signals based on the synthesized frequency provided by the synthesizer circuitry 806d to generate RF output signals for the FEM circuitry 808. The baseband signals may be provided by the baseband circuitry 804 and may be filtered by filter circuitry 806c.

[00135] In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 806a of the receive signal path and the mixer circuitry 806a of the transmit signal path may include two or more mixers and may be arranged for quadrature downconversion and upconversion, respectively. In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 806a of the receive signal path and the mixer circuitry 806a of the transmit signal path may include two or more mixers and may be arranged for image rejection (e.g., Hartley image rejection). In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 806a of the receive signal path and the mixer circuitry 806a may be arranged for direct downconversion and direct upconversion, respectively. In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 806a of the receive signal path and the mixer circuitry 806a of the transmit signal path may be configured for super-heterodyne operation.

[00136] In some embodiments, the output baseband signals and the input baseband signals may be analog baseband signals, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some alternate embodiments, the output baseband signals and the input baseband signals may be digital baseband signals. In these alternate embodiments, the RF circuitry 806 may include analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuitry and the baseband circuitry 804 may include a digital baseband interface (e.g., an RF interface) to communicate with the RF circuitry 806.

[00137] In some dual-mode embodiments, a separate radio IC circuitry may be provided for processing signals for each spectrum, although the scope of the

embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[00138] In some embodiments, the synthesizer circuitry 806d may be a fractional-N synthesizer or a fractional N/N+1 synthesizer, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect as other types of frequency synthesizers may be suitable. For example, synthesizer circuitry 806d may be a delta-sigma synthesizer, a frequency multiplier, or a synthesizer comprising a phase-locked loop with a frequency divider. [00139] The synthesizer circuitry 806d may be configured to synthesize an output frequency for use by the mixer circuitry 806a of the RF circuitry 806 based on a frequency input and a divider control input. In some embodiments, the synthesizer circuitry 806d may be a fractional N/N+1 synthesizer.

[00140] In some embodiments, frequency input may be provided by a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), although that is not a requirement. Divider control input may be provided by either the baseband circuitry 804 or the applications processor 802 depending on the desired output frequency. In some embodiments, a divider control input (e.g., N) may be determined from a look-up table based on a channel indicated by the applications processor 802.

[00141 ] Synthesizer circuitry 806d of the RF circuitry 806 may include a divider, a delay-locked loop (DLL), a multiplexer and a phase accumulator. In some

embodiments, the divider may be a dual modulus divider (DMD) and the phase accumulator may be a digital phase accumulator (DPA). In some embodiments, the DMD may be configured to divide the input signal by either N or N+1 (e.g., based on a carry out) to provide a fractional division ratio. In some example embodiments, the DLL may include a set of cascaded, tunable, delay elements, a phase detector, a charge pump and a D-type flip-flop. In these embodiments, the delay elements may be configured to break a VCO period up into Nd equal packets of phase, where Nd is the number of delay elements in the delay line. In this way, the DLL provides negative feedback to help ensure that the total delay through the delay line is one VCO cycle.

[00142] In some embodiments, synthesizer circuitry 806d may be configured to generate a carrier frequency as the output frequency, while in other embodiments, the output frequency may be a multiple of the carrier frequency (e.g., twice the carrier frequency, four times the carrier frequency) and used in conjunction with quadrature generator and divider circuitry to generate multiple signals at the carrier frequency with multiple different phases with respect to each other. In some embodiments, the output frequency may be a LO frequency (fLO). In some embodiments, the RF circuitry 806 may include an IQ/polar converter. [00143] FEM circuitry 808 may include a receive signal path which may include circuitry configured to operate on RF signals received from one or more antennas 810, amplify the received signals and provide the amplified versions of the received signals to the RF circuitry 806 for further processing. FEM circuitry 808 may also include a transmit signal path which may include circuitry configured to amplify signals for transmission provided by the RF circuitry 806 for transmission by one or more of the one or more antennas 81 0. In various embodiments, the amplification through the transmit or receive signal paths may be done solely in the RF circuitry 806, solely in the FEM 808, or in both the RF circuitry 806 and the FEM 808.

[00144] In some embodiments, the FEM circuitry 808 may include a TX/RX switch to switch between transmit mode and receive mode operation. The FEM circuitry may include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of the FEM circuitry may include an LNA to amplify received RF signals and provide the amplified received RF signals as an output (e.g., to the RF circuitry 806). The transmit signal path of the FEM circuitry 808 may include a power amplifier (PA) to amplify input RF signals (e.g., provided by RF circuitry 806), and one or more filters to generate RF signals for subsequent transmission (e.g., by one or more of the one or more antennas 81 0).

[00145] In some embodiments, the PMC 812 may manage power provided to the baseband circuitry 804. In particular, the PMC 812 may control power-source selection, voltage scaling, battery charging, or DC-to-DC conversion. The PMC 812 may often be included when the device 800 is capable of being powered by a battery, for example, when the device is included in a UE. The PMC 81 2 may increase the power conversion efficiency while providing desirable implementation size and heat dissipation

characteristics.

[00146] While FIG. 8 shows the PMC 812 coupled only with the baseband circuitry 804. However, in other embodiments, the PMC 8 12 may be additionally or alternatively coupled with, and perform similar power management operations for, other components such as, but not limited to, application circuitry 802, RF circuitry 806, or FEM 808. [00147] In some embodiments, the PMC 812 may control, or otherwise be part of, various power saving mechanisms of the device 800. For example, if the device 800 is in an RRC_Connected state, where it is still connected to the RAN node as it expects to receive traffic shortly, then it may enter a state known as Discontinuous Reception Mode (DRX) after a period of inactivity. During this state, the device 800 may power down for brief intervals of time and thus save power.

[00148] If there is no data traffic activity for an extended period of time, then the device 800 may transition off to an RRCJdle state, where it disconnects from the network and does not perform operations such as channel quality feedback, handover, etc. The device 800 goes into a very low power state and it performs paging where again it periodically wakes up to listen to the network and then powers down again. The device 800 may not receive data in this state, in order to receive data, it must transition back to RRC_Connected state.

[00149] An additional power saving mode may allow a device to be unavailable to the network for periods longer than a paging interval (ranging from seconds to a few hours). During this time, the device is totally unreachable to the network and may power down completely. Any data sent during this time incurs a large delay and it is assumed the delay is acceptable.

[00150] Processors of the application circuitry 802 and processors of the baseband circuitry 804 may be used to execute elements of one or more instances of a protocol stack. For example, processors of the baseband circuitry 804, alone or in combination, may be used execute Layer 3, Layer 2, or Layer 1 functionality, while processors of the application circuitry 804 may utilize data (e.g., packet data) received from these layers and further execute Layer 4 functionality (e.g., transmission communication protocol (TCP) and user datagram protocol (UDP) layers). As referred to herein, Layer 3 may comprise a radio resource control (RRC) layer, described in further detail below. As referred to herein, Layer 2 may comprise a medium access control (MAC) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, and a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, described in further detail below. As referred to herein, Layer 1 may comprise a physical (PHY) layer of a UE/RAN node, described in further detail below. [00151 ] While the apparatus has been illustrated, and described with respect to one or more implementations, alterations and/or modifications may be made to the illustrated examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components or structures (assemblies, devices, circuits, systems, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a "means") used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component or structure which performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary implementations of the invention.

[00152] In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (assemblies, devices, circuits, systems, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a "means") used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component or structure which performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary implementations of the disclosure. In addition, while a particular feature may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

[00153] Examples can include subject matter such as a method, means for performing acts or blocks of the method, at least one machine-readable medium including instructions that, when performed by a machine cause the machine to perform acts of the method or of an apparatus or system for concurrent communication using multiple communication technologies according to embodiments and examples described herein.

[00154] Example 1 is apparatus for a user equipment (UE) associated with a long- term evolution - wireless local area network aggregation (LWA) network, comprising one or more processors to generate a UE capability indication message comprising information on one or more eLWA features supported by the UE; and a radio frequency (RF) interface to provide the UE capability indication message to an RF circuitry for subsequent transmission to an eNodeB associated therewith, in order to provide an indication of the eLWA features supported by the UE to the eNodeB.

[00155] Example 2 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of example 1 , wherein the eLWA features comprises the 3^rd generation partnership project (3GPP) release 14 eLWA features comprising one or more of uplink (UL) data transmission over wireless local area network (WLAN), handover (HO) enhancements including HO without WLAN terminal (WT) change, support for 60 GHz band, high data rate enhancements, feedback enhancements, automatic neighbor relation (ANR) for LWA and increased buffer sizes.

[00156] Example 3 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 1 -2, including or omitting elements, wherein the UE capability indication message comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, in order to indicate the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00157] Example 4 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 1 -3, including or omitting elements, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises a single predefined UE capability indication bit that indicates the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00158] Example 5 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 1 -4, including or omitting elements, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits respectively associated with the one or more eLWA features associated with the UE, wherein each predefined UE capability bit of the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits is indicative of the respective eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00159] Example 6 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 1 -5, including or omitting elements, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, wherein each predefined UE capability indication bit of the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits is associated with a predefined set of eLWA features of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00160] Example 7 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 1 -6, including or omitting elements, wherein the UE capability indication message is provided to the eNodeB using radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[00161 ] Example 8 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 1 -7, including or omitting elements, wherein the RRC signaling comprises an RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[00162] Example 9 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 1 -8, including or omitting elements, wherein the UE capability indication message comprises information on a predefined UE class or a predefined UE category associated with the UE, wherein the predefined UE class or the predefined UE category is indicative of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE and wherein the predefined UE class or the predefined UE category is mapped to a set of eLWA features of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00163] Example 10 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 1 -9, including or omitting elements, wherein the UE capability indication message is provided to the eNodeB, during an initial attach procedure of the UE to the eNodeB.

[00164] Example 1 1 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 1 -10, wherein the one or more processors is further configured to receive a UE capability request message comprising a request for information associated with the one or more UE capabilities supported by the UE, from the eNodeB, prior to providing the UE capability indication message to the eNodeB.

[00165] Example 12 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 1 -1 1 , including or omitting elements, wherein the UE capability indication message is provided to the eNodeB, in response to the UE capability request message from the eNodeB. [00166] Example 13 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 1 -12, including or omitting elements, wherein the UE capability request message from the eNodeB comprises an RRC signal or a broadcast signal.

[00167] Example 14 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 1 -13, including or omitting elements, wherein the RRC signal comprises an RRC

reconfiguration message and the broadcast signal comprises system information blocks.

[00168] Example 15 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 1 -14, including or omitting elements, wherein the UE capability indication message comprises an information element (IE), lwa-Parameters-r14, indicative of the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, wherein the IE lwa-Parameters-r14, is included within a UE-EUTRA-capability IE in LTE.

[00169] Example 16 is an apparatus for a eNodeB associated with a long-term evolution - wireless local area network aggregation (LWA) network, comprising one or more processors configured to receive a UE capability indication message from a UE associated therewith, wherein the UE capability indication message comprises information on one or more eLWA features supported by the UE; and process the UE capability indication message, in order to identify the eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00170] Example 17 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of example 16, wherein the eLWA features comprises the 3^rd generation partnership project (3GPP) release 14 eLWA features comprising one or more of uplink (UL) data transmission over wireless local area network (WLAN), handover (HO) enhancements including HO without WLAN terminal (WT) change, support for 60 GHz band, high data rate enhancements, feedback enhancements, automatic neighbor relation (ANR) for LWA and increased buffer sizes.

[00171 ] Example 18 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 1 6-17, including or omitting elements, further comprising a radio frequency (RF) interface configured to provide a UE capability request message comprising a request for information associated with the one or more UE capabilities supported by the UE, to an RF circuitry for subsequent transmission to the UE, prior to receiving the UE capability indication message from the UE.

[00172] Example 19 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 1 6-18, including or omitting elements, wherein the UE capability request message is provided to the UE using RRC signaling or broadcast signaling.

[00173] Example 20 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 1 6-19, including or omitting elements, wherein the UE capability indication message comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, indicative of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00174] Example 21 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 1 6-20, including or omitting elements, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises a single predefined UE capability indication bit that indicates the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00175] Example 22 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 1 6-21 , including or omitting elements, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits respectively associated with the one or more eLWA features associated with the UE, wherein each predefined UE capability bit of the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits is indicative of the respective eLWA feature supported by the UE.

[00176] Example 23 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 1 6-22, including or omitting elements, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, wherein each predefined UE capability indication bit of the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits is associated with a predefined set of eLWA features of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00177] Example 24 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 1 6-23, including or omitting elements, wherein the UE capability indication message comprises information on a predefined UE class or a predefined UE category associated with the UE, wherein the predefined UE class or the predefined UE category is indicative of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE and wherein the predefined UE class or the predefined UE category is mapped to a set of eLWA features of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00178] Example 25 is an apparatus for a user equipment (UE) associated with a long-term evolution - wireless local area network aggregation (LWA) network, comprising one or more processors configured to generate a UE capability indication message comprising one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, indicative of one or more eLWA features supported by the UE; or a predefined UE class or a predefined UE category associated with the UE, indicative of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE; and a radio frequency (RF) interface to provide the UE capability indication message to an RF circuitry for subsequent transmission to an eNodeB associated therewith, in order to provide an indication of the eLWA features supported by the UE to the eNodeB.

[00179] Example 26 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of example 25, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises a single predefined UE capability indication bit that indicates the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00180] Example 27 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 25-26, including or omitting elements, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits respectively associated with the one or more eLWA features associated with the UE, wherein each predefined UE capability bit of the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits is indicative of the respective eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00181 ] Example 28 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 25-27, including or omitting elements, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, wherein each predefined UE capability indication bit of the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits is associated with a predefined set of eLWA features of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE. [00182] Example 29 is an apparatus for a user equipment (UE) associated with a long-term evolution - wireless local area network aggregation (LWA) network, comprising means for generating a UE capability indication message comprising information on one or more eLWA features supported by the UE; and means for providing the UE capability indication message for subsequent transmission to an eNodeB associated therewith, in order to provide an indication of the eLWA features supported by the UE to the eNodeB.

[00183] Example 30 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of example 29, wherein the eLWA features comprises the 3^rd generation partnership project (3GPP) release 14 eLWA features comprising one or more of uplink (UL) data transmission over wireless local area network (WLAN), handover (HO) enhancements including HO without WLAN terminal (WT) change, support for 60 GHz band, high data rate enhancements, feedback enhancements, automatic neighbor relation (ANR) for LWA and increased buffer sizes.

[00184] Example 31 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 29-30, including or omitting elements, wherein the UE capability indication message comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, in order to indicate the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00185] Example 32 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 29-31 , including or omitting elements, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises a single predefined UE capability indication bit that indicates the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00186] Example 33 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 29-32, including or omitting elements, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits respectively associated with the one or more eLWA features associated with the UE, wherein each predefined UE capability bit of the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits is indicative of the respective eLWA features supported by the UE. [00187] Example 34 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 29-33, including or omitting elements, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, wherein each predefined UE capability indication bit of the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits is associated with a predefined set of eLWA features of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00188] Example 35 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 29-34, including or omitting elements, wherein the UE capability indication message is provided to the eNodeB using radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[00189] Example 36 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 29-35, including or omitting elements, wherein the RRC signaling comprises an RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[00190] Example 37 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 29-36, including or omitting elements, wherein the UE capability indication message comprises information on a predefined UE class or a predefined UE category associated with the UE, wherein the predefined UE class or the predefined UE category is indicative of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE and wherein the predefined UE class or the predefined UE category is mapped to a set of eLWA features of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00191 ] Example 38 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 29-37, including or omitting elements, wherein the UE capability indication message is provided to the eNodeB, during an initial attach procedure of the UE to the eNodeB.

[00192] Example 39 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 29-38, including or omitting elements, further comprising means for receiving a UE capability request message comprising a request for information associated with the one or more UE capabilities supported by the UE, from the eNodeB, prior to providing the UE capability indication message to the eNodeB.

[00193] Example 40 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 29-39, including or omitting elements, wherein the UE capability indication message is provided to the eNodeB, in response to the UE capability request message from the eNodeB.

[00194] Example 41 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 29-40, including or omitting elements, wherein the UE capability request message from the eNodeB comprises an RRC signal or a broadcast signal.

[00195] Example 42 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 29-41 , including or omitting elements, wherein the RRC signal comprises an RRC

[00196] Example 43 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 29-42, including or omitting elements, wherein the UE capability indication message comprises an information element (IE), lwa-Parameters-r14, indicative of the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, wherein the IE lwa-Parameters-r14, is included within a UE-EUTRA-capability IE in LTE.

[00197] Example 44 is an apparatus for a eNodeB associated with a long-term evolution - wireless local area network aggregation (LWA) network, comprising means for receiving a UE capability indication message from a UE associated therewith, wherein the UE capability indication message comprises information on one or more eLWA features supported by the UE; and means for processing the UE capability indication message, in order to identify the eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00198] Example 45 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of example 44, wherein the eLWA features comprises the 3^rd generation partnership project (3GPP) release 14 eLWA features comprising one or more of uplink (UL) data transmission over wireless local area network (WLAN), handover (HO) enhancements including HO without WLAN terminal (WT) change, support for 60 GHz band, high data rate enhancements, feedback enhancements, automatic neighbor relation (ANR) for LWA and increased buffer sizes.

[00199] Example 46 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 44-45, including or omitting elements, further comprising means for providing a UE capability request message comprising a request for information associated with the one or more UE capabilities supported by the UE, to the UE, prior to receiving the UE capability indication message from the UE.

[00200] Example 47 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 44-46, including or omitting elements, wherein the UE capability request message is provided to the UE using RRC signaling or broadcast signaling.

[00201 ] Example 48 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 44-47, including or omitting elements, wherein the UE capability indication message comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, indicative of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00202] Example 49 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 44-48, including or omitting elements, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises a single predefined UE capability indication bit that indicates the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00203] Example 50 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 44-49, including or omitting elements, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits respectively associated with the one or more eLWA features associated with the UE, wherein each predefined UE capability bit of the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits is indicative of the respective eLWA feature supported by the UE.

[00204] Example 51 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 44-50, including or omitting elements, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, wherein each predefined UE capability indication bit of the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits is associated with a predefined set of eLWA features of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00205] Example 52 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 44-51 , including or omitting elements, wherein the UE capability indication message comprises information on a predefined UE class or a predefined UE category associated with the UE, wherein the predefined UE class or the predefined UE category is indicative of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE and wherein the predefined UE class or the predefined UE category is mapped to a set of eLWA features of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00206] Example 53 is an apparatus for a user equipment (UE) associated with a long-term evolution - wireless local area network aggregation (LWA) network, comprising means for generating a UE capability indication message comprising one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, indicative of one or more eLWA features supported by the UE; or a predefined UE class or a predefined UE category associated with the UE, indicative of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE; and means for providing the UE capability indication message for subsequent transmission to an eNodeB associated therewith, in order to provide an indication of the eLWA features supported by the UE to the eNodeB.

[00207] Example 54 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of example 53, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises a single predefined UE capability indication bit that indicates the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00208] Example 55 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 53-54, including or omitting elements, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits respectively associated with the one or more eLWA features associated with the UE, wherein each predefined UE capability bit of the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits is indicative of the respective eLWA features supported by the UE.

[00209] Example 56 is an apparatus, including the subject matter of examples 53-55, including or omitting elements, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, wherein each predefined UE capability indication bit of the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits is associated with a predefined set of eLWA features of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE. [00210] Various illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with aspects disclosed herein can be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other

programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform functions described herein. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but, in the alternative, processor can be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine.

[00211 ] The above description of illustrated embodiments of the subject disclosure, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments and examples are described herein for illustrative purposes, various modifications are possible that are considered within the scope of such embodiments and examples, as those skilled in the relevant art can recognize.

[00212] In this regard, while the disclosed subject matter has been described in connection with various embodiments and corresponding Figures, where applicable, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments can be used or modifications and additions can be made to the described embodiments for performing the same, similar, alternative, or substitute function of the disclosed subject matter without deviating therefrom. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not be limited to any single embodiment described herein, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims below.

[00213] In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (assemblies, devices, circuits, systems, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a "means") used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component or structure which performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary implementations of the disclosure. In addition, while a particular feature may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1 . An apparatus for a user equipment (UE) associated with a long-term evolution - wireless local area network aggregation (LWA) network, comprising:

one or more processors to generate a UE capability indication message comprising information on one or more eLWA features supported by the UE; and

a radio frequency (RF) interface to provide the UE capability indication message to an RF circuitry for subsequent transmission to an eNodeB associated therewith, in order to provide an indication of the eLWA features supported by the UE to the eNodeB.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the eLWA features comprises the 3^rd generation partnership project (3GPP) release 14 eLWA features comprising one or more of uplink (UL) data transmission over wireless local area network (WLAN), handover (HO) enhancements including HO without WLAN terminal (WT) change, support for 60 GHz band, high data rate enhancements, feedback enhancements, automatic neighbor relation (ANR) for LWA and increased buffer sizes.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the UE capability indication message comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, in order to indicate the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises a single predefined UE capability indication bit that indicates the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits respectively associated with the one or more eLWA features associated with the UE, wherein each predefined UE capability bit of the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits is indicative of the respective eLWA features supported by the UE.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, wherein each predefined UE capability indication bit of the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits is associated with a predefined set of eLWA features of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

7. The apparatus of any of the claims 1 -6, wherein the UE capability indication message is provided to the eNodeB using radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the RRC signaling comprises an RRC reconfiguration complete message.

9. The apparatus of any of the claims 1 -2, wherein the UE capability indication message comprises information on a predefined UE class or a predefined UE category associated with the UE, wherein the predefined UE class or the predefined UE category is indicative of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE and wherein the predefined UE class or the predefined UE category is mapped to a set of eLWA features of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the UE capability indication message is provided to the eNodeB, during an initial attach procedure of the UE to the eNodeB.

1 1 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors is further configured to receive a UE capability request message comprising a request for information associated with the one or more UE capabilities supported by the UE, from the eNodeB, prior to providing the UE capability indication message to the eNodeB.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 1 , wherein the UE capability indication message is provided to the eNodeB, in response to the UE capability request message from the eNodeB.

13. The apparatus of any of the claims 1 1 -12, wherein the UE capability request message from the eNodeB comprises an RRC signal or a broadcast signal.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the RRC signal comprises an RRC reconfiguration message and the broadcast signal comprises system information blocks.

15. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the UE capability indication message comprises an information element (IE), lwa-Parameters-r14, indicative of the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, wherein the IE lwa-Parameters-r14, is included within a UE-EUTRA-capability IE in LTE.

16. An apparatus for a eNodeB associated with a long-term evolution - wireless local area network aggregation (LWA) network, comprising one or more processors configured to:

receive a UE capability indication message from a UE associated therewith, wherein the UE capability indication message comprises information on one or more eLWA features supported by the UE; and

process the UE capability indication message, in order to identify the eLWA features supported by the UE.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the eLWA features comprises the 3^rd generation partnership project (3GPP) release 14 eLWA features comprising one or more of uplink (UL) data transmission over wireless local area network (WLAN), handover (HO) enhancements including HO without WLAN terminal (WT) change, support for 60 GHz band, high data rate enhancements, feedback enhancements, automatic neighbor relation (ANR) for LWA and increased buffer sizes.

18. The apparatus of any of the claims 16-1 7, further comprising a radio frequency (RF) interface configured to provide a UE capability request message comprising a request for information associated with the one or more UE capabilities supported by the UE, to an RF circuitry for subsequent transmission to the UE, prior to receiving the UE capability indication message from the UE.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the UE capability request message is provided to the UE using RRC signaling or broadcast signaling.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the UE capability indication message comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, indicative of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

21 . The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises a single predefined UE capability indication bit that indicates the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits respectively associated with the one or more eLWA features associated with the UE, wherein each predefined UE capability bit of the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits is indicative of the respective eLWA feature supported by the UE.

23. The apparatus of any of the claims 20-22, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, wherein each predefined UE capability indication bit of the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits is associated with a predefined set of eLWA features of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

24. The apparatus of any of the claims 15-16, wherein the UE capability indication message comprises information on a predefined UE class or a predefined UE category associated with the UE, wherein the predefined UE class or the predefined UE category is indicative of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE and wherein the predefined UE class or the predefined UE category is mapped to a set of eLWA features of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

25. An apparatus for a user equipment (UE) associated with a long-term evolution - wireless local area network aggregation (LWA) network, comprising:

one or more processors configured to generate a UE capability indication message comprising:

one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, indicative of one or more eLWA features supported by the UE; or

a predefined UE class or a predefined UE category associated with the UE, indicative of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE; and a radio frequency (RF) interface to provide the UE capability indication message to an RF circuitry for subsequent transmission to an eNodeB associated therewith, in order to provide an indication of the eLWA features supported by the UE to the eNodeB.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises a single predefined UE capability indication bit that indicates the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits respectively associated with the one or more eLWA features associated with the UE, wherein each predefined UE capability bit of the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits is indicative of the respective eLWA features supported by the UE.

28. The apparatus of any of the claims 25-27, wherein the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits comprises one or more predefined UE capability indication bits, wherein each predefined UE capability indication bit of the one or more predefined UE capability indication bits is associated with a predefined set of eLWA features of the one or more eLWA features supported by the UE.