5G RAT Selection Using Geolocation-Based Network Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
5G standalone (SA) wireless connections, which utilize only 5G radio links, can perform poorer than 5G non-standalone (NSA) wireless connections, which include 4G LTE wireless radio links in parallel, due to higher frequency bands and shorter range, necessitating a mechanism for dynamic selection of radio access technologies (RATs) to optimize performance for 5G wireless devices.
Innovation Solution
5G wireless devices utilize crowd-sourced cellular network information organized into location databases, monitoring dynamic RAT selection criteria to switch between 5G SA, 5G NSA, and 4G LTE connections based on performance requirements, network deployment, and congestion, with hysteresis timers to avoid frequent switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If 5G standalone (SA) wireless connections are used to achieve higher data throughput and lower latency, then network performance is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates due to higher frequency bands and shorter range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic RAT selection that allows the wireless device to switch between 5G SA, 5G NSA, and 4G LTE connections based on real-time performance measurements and location database information. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to use 5G SA for high throughput when conditions permit, while falling back to more reliable 4G LTE or 5G NSA connections when coverage or reliability becomes insufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by selecting different radio access technologies based on measured performance metrics such as throughput, latency, and signal quality. The wireless device monitors connection performance and transitions between RATs (5G SA, 5G NSA, 4G LTE) to optimize the balance between throughput and reliability, adjusting the connection parameters dynamically rather than being fixed on a single RAT.
2Reliability
If 5G NSA wireless connections are used to improve connection reliability through parallel 4G LTE and 5G radio links, then connection stability is improved, but data throughput deteriorates compared to pure 5G SA connections
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic RAT selection mechanism enables the system to transition from 5G NSA to 5G SA connections when high throughput is required and conditions permit. The wireless device monitors performance metrics and can switch to pure 5G SA mode to achieve higher throughput, while using 5G NSA mode when stability is the priority, thus dynamically resolving the throughput-stability tradeoff.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes connection parameters by selecting between different RAT configurations based on performance requirements. When high throughput is needed, the system transitions to 5G SA with wider bandwidths and advanced modulation schemes. When stability is prioritized, it uses 5G NSA with parallel 4G LTE links, thereby adapting parameters to match the specific operational needs.
3Productivity
If frequent switching between different radio access technologies is performed to optimize performance, then network performance is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple connection management protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a location database that is pre-populated with crowd-sourced network information including performance measurements and coverage data for different RATs at various locations. This preliminary information allows the wireless device to make informed RAT selection decisions without extensive real-time measurements and complex evaluation, reducing the management complexity while maintaining performance optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the wireless device monitors connection performance metrics (throughput, latency, signal quality) and uses this feedback to trigger RAT switching decisions. The location database is also updated with new measurements from devices, creating a continuous feedback loop that improves the accuracy of RAT selection over time, thereby simplifying the decision-making process while maintaining optimal performance.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein relate to dynamic selection of radio access technologies (RATs) available for use by 5G wireless devices. Managing selection of RATs to use by a 5G (and 4G LTE) capable wireless device can improve performance, e.g., when an application requires a higher throughput and a 5G SA connection underperforms a 5G NSA connection or a 4G LTE connection. Wireless devices can provide geolocation tagged cellular wireless network information, e.g., network performance measurements and observed properties, to network-based servers that collate and organize the crowd-sourced cellular wireless network information into a location database. The wireless device can use the cellular wireless network information of the location database for a geolocation at which the wireless device is operating to estimate performance for alternate wireless connections and compare to measured performance of a currently used wireless connection to determine whether to switch wireless RAT connections.