Access Network Management Module for Terminal Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication networks face challenges in optimizing terminal connections across different access networks, leading to potential communication failures or limitations in service quality when terminals are connected to incompatible networks, especially during voice or video communications.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented by a management module to dynamically update the list of access networks for a terminal based on the connectivity information of the destination terminal, ensuring that both terminals connect to the same or compatible access networks before establishing a communication, thereby optimizing the connection and ensuring end-to-end quality of service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the terminal operator uses ANDSF function to indicate the preferred access network to the terminal, then the terminal can connect to the preferred access network according to operator criteria, but the terminal may be forced to connect to an incompatible access network when communicating with another terminal, leading to communication failures or limited service functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary actions by having the transmitting terminal send a connection request to the destination terminal's access network management module BEFORE sending the actual communication request. This allows the destination terminal to be proactively connected to a compatible access network in advance, preventing communication failures that would occur if connection issues were discovered only after the communication attempt.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary mechanism through the access network management module that mediates between the transmitting terminal and the destination terminal. This intermediary receives connection requests, determines compatibility, and orchestrates the connection process, ensuring that both terminals are on compatible networks before communication begins, thus resolving the conflict between network selection flexibility and communication reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If terminals connect to different access networks managed by different operators, then interconnection resources must be defined between operators, but this increases device complexity and limits end-to-end use of access network functionalities
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary compatibility checking and connection orchestration before communication begins. By proactively determining whether terminals are on compatible networks and establishing appropriate connections in advance, the system avoids the complexity of ad-hoc interconnection resource management during active communication, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining cross-network capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The access network management module acts as an intermediary that simplifies cross-network communication by centralizing the complexity of interconnection resource management. Instead of requiring complex direct interconnections between all possible network pairs, the intermediary manages connections centrally, reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability for cross-network communication.
3Reliability
If the terminal sends a communication request without ensuring both terminals are on compatible access networks, then the communication may fail or require interconnection resources, but adding connection verification steps increases the time and complexity of the communication establishment process
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs the connection verification and establishment as a preliminary action that is integrated into the communication initiation flow. By sending a connection request immediately when the transmitting terminal wants to communicate (rather than as a separate pre-check step), the system verifies compatibility and establishes connections in advance without adding significant time loss, thereby improving success rate while minimizing time penalty.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a method for managing the connection of a first terminal connected to a first access network accessing a communication network and capable of connecting to a second access network accessing said communication network, implemented by a management module of the communication network, said management module being capable of determining a list of access networks to which the first terminal is likely to connect. After receiving (E209) a piece of connectivity information relative to a second terminal, the management method comprises a step (E210) of updating the list of access networks according to the received connectivity information and a step (E211) of transmitting said updated list to the first terminal such that the first terminal connects (E212) to the second access network.