Enhanced X2 Protocol

Abstract

A system for an enhanced X2 interface in a mobile operator core network is disclosed, comprising: a Long Term Evolution (LTE) core network packet data network gateway (PGW); an evolved NodeB (eNodeB) connected to the LTE PGW; a Wi-Fi access point (AP) connected to the LTE PGW via a wireless local area network (WLAN) gateway; and a coordinating node positioned as a gateway between the LTE PGW and the eNodeB, and positioned as a gateway between the LTE PGW and the Wi-Fi AP, the coordinating node further comprising: a network address translation (NAT) module; and a protocol module for communicating to the eNodeB and the Wi-Fi AP to request inter-radio technology (inter-RAT) handovers of a user equipment (UE) from the eNodeB to the Wi-Fi AP and to forward packets intended for the UE from the eNodeB to the Wi-Fi AP.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.