What is WT WLAN Termination

WT: WLAN Termination

WLAN Termination (WT) is a crucial component in the architecture of LTE-WLAN Aggregation (LWA). It serves as a bridge between the LTE network and the WLAN network, enabling seamless handover between the two technologies.

Role of WLAN Termination

In an LWA system, the WT is responsible for:

• Terminating the LTE bearer: It receives data packets from the LTE core network and terminates the GTP-U tunnel associated with the LTE bearer.
• Forwarding data to WLAN: It encapsulates the received data into appropriate WLAN frames and forwards them to the WLAN access point (AP).
• Handling handover: The WT manages the handover process between LTE and WLAN networks, ensuring seamless user experience.
• Providing backhaul connectivity: In some deployments, the WT may also provide backhaul connectivity for the WLAN APs.

WT Deployment Options

There are two primary deployment options for WT:

1. Collocated WT: The WT functionality is integrated within the LTE evolved NodeB (eNB). This option is suitable for small-cell deployments with integrated WLAN access points.
2. Non-collocated WT: The WT is a separate entity connected to the LTE network and the WLAN infrastructure. This option is suitable for integrating existing WLAN deployments into LWA with minimal changes.

Xw Interface

The interface between the LTE network and the WT is referred to as the Xw interface. It defines the protocol stack and procedures for data transfer between the two networks.

Challenges and Considerations

• Interoperability: Ensuring seamless interoperability between LTE and WLAN networks is a significant challenge.
• Backhaul Capacity: The WT must have sufficient backhaul capacity to handle the combined traffic from both LTE and WLAN networks.
• Handover Management: Efficient handover management is crucial to avoid service interruptions.
• Security: Protecting user data and maintaining network security is essential.

Benefits of LWA with WT

• Improved coverage: Combining LTE and WLAN can extend network coverage, especially in indoor and hotspot areas.
• Enhanced capacity: LWA can increase network capacity by offloading traffic from the LTE network to the WLAN.
• Optimized resource utilization: By leveraging both LTE and WLAN resources, LWA can improve overall network efficiency.
• Improved user experience: Seamless handover between LTE and WLAN provides a consistent user experience.

In conclusion, the WLAN Termination (WT) plays a vital role in LTE-WLAN Aggregation by enabling interoperability between the two networks and providing a seamless user experience. Its efficient operation is crucial for the success of LWA deployments.