Autonomous connection switching in a wireless communication network

A method of managing a connection between a user equipment (UE) and a wireless communication network, the method comprising:

• forming the connection between the UE and the wireless communication network, the connection comprising a radio link between the UE and an access point of the wireless communication network, wherein the access point of the wireless communication network serves the connection to the UE;
• a UE receiving from the access point:
• a message comprising target information indicating a plurality of target access points and a UE-specific authorization authorizing the UE to autonomously switch the connection comprising the radio link between the UE and the access point to one or more of the plurality of target access points;
• and
• a condition to be evaluated by the UE for triggering the switch of the connection comprising the radio link between the UE and the access point to the one or more of the plurality of target access points;
• the UE detecting a triggering event in accordance with evaluating the condition;
• and
• in response to detecting the triggering event, the UE switching the connection to one or more of the plurality of target access points, wherein each of the plurality of target access points received preparation information, prior to the condition to be evaluated by the UE occurring, related to the UE for preparing a receiving target access point for a potential switching of the connection by the UE according to the condition;
• wherein the message comprises a first indication of a time period in which the UE is authorized to autonomously switch the connection;
• and
• wherein the preparation information comprises a second indication of a time period in which the UE is authorized to autonomously switch the connection.

An access point for a wireless communication network, the access point comprising:

• a radio interface configured to serve a connection to a user equipment (UE), the connection comprising a radio link between the UE and the access point of the wireless communication network;
• and
• at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to:
• form the connection between the UE and the wireless communication network;
• determine a plurality of target access points;
• and
• send to the UE:
• a message comprising target information indicating said plurality of target access points and a UE-specific authorization authorizing the UE to autonomously switch the connection comprising the radio link between the UE and the access point to one or more of the plurality of target access points;
• and
• a condition to be evaluated by the UE for triggering the switch of the connection comprising the radio link between the UE and the access point to the one or more of the plurality of target access points;
• and
• wherein the access point sends, prior to the condition to be evaluated occurring, to each of the plurality of target access points, preparation information related to the UE for preparing a receiving target access point for a potential switching of the connection by the UE according to the condition;
• wherein the message comprises a first indication of a time period in which the UE is authorized to autonomously switch the connection;
• and
• wherein the preparation information comprises a second indication of a time period in which the UE is authorized to autonomously switch the connection.

A user equipment (UE), comprising:

• a radio interface configured to establish a connection to a wireless communication network;
• and
• at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to:
• form the connection between the UE and the wireless communication network, the connection comprising a radio link between the UE and an access point of the wireless communication network, wherein the access point of the wireless communication network serves the connection between the UE and the wireless communication network;
• receive from the access point:
• a message comprising target information indicating a plurality of target access points and an authorization authorizing the UE to autonomously switch the connection comprising the radio link between the UE and the access point to one or more of the plurality of target access points;
• and
• a condition to be evaluated by the UE for triggering the switch of the connection comprising the radio link between the UE and the access point to the one or more of the target access points;
• detect a triggering event in accordance with evaluating the condition;
• and
• in response to detecting the triggering event, switch the connection to one or more of the plurality of target access points, wherein each of the plurality of target access points received preparation information, prior to the condition to be evaluated by the UE occurring, related to the UE for preparing a receiving target access point for a potential switching of the connection by the UE according to the condition;
• wherein the message comprises a first indication of a time period in which the UE is authorized to autonomously switch the connection;
• and
• wherein the preparation information comprises a second indication of a time period in which the UE is authorized to autonomously switch the connection.