Access Point Availability Information for Dynamic Network Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems assume a static infrastructure for access points and base stations, which becomes obsolete in dynamic networking environments, as they fail to effectively provide UE with optimal network access selection in scenarios with varying access point availability and mobility.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an additional information element into system information advertisements to indicate the static or dynamic nature and expected usage time of access points, allowing UEs to perform optimal network access selection by considering the mobility and availability of access points, including the use of relay nodes with varying lifetimes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If system information advertisements assume static infrastructure for access points, then system complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to dynamic networking environments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem operation simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to dynamic networks
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Dynamics principle by introducing a mobility indication parameter that enables the system to adapt to changing network conditions. Access points can dynamically indicate whether they are stationary or mobile, allowing the network to adjust its behavior based on the actual mobility characteristics of access points rather than assuming a static infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If system information advertisements include additional mobility indication parameters, then adaptability to dynamic environments is improved, but device complexity and information processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to dynamic networksVSAvoidsystem information structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Segmentation principle by dividing the system information into distinct components: existing static information elements and a new mobility indication parameter. This segmentation allows the mobility information to be added independently without restructuring the entire system information framework, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If UEs perform optimal network access selection based on access point availability information, then network performance and user experience are improved, but information processing requirements and computational load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork access efficiencyVSAvoidUE computational energy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Partial or excessive action principle by providing UEs with selective information (mobility indication) that enables them to make informed access decisions without requiring complete analysis of all network parameters. The mobility indication serves as a sufficient heuristic that guides UE behavior without demanding exhaustive computational processing of entire network states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP1972099B1Apparatus, method and computer program product providing system information advertisement extension for dynamic networks
Publication Date: 2017.07.12 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP1972099B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1972099B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1972099B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed herein are apparatus, methods and computer program products for using access point availability information in a wireless communications system. In aspects of the method performed at an access point in a' wireless communications system, the access point generates a message indicating the level of availability of the access point; and transmits the message. In aspects of the method performed at user equipment in a wireless communications system, the user equipment receives messages from access points in the wireless communications system, the messages containing access point availability information indicating the respective levels of availability of the access points available for selection by the user equipment; and selects an access point in dependence on the access point availability information. In variants, the user equipment may perform additional steps to determine whether a current or contemplated operating mode requires selection of an access point be made in dependence on access point availability information associated with the access point. Only if the current or contemplated operating mode provides a quality of service that is dependent on level of availability of an access point will the access point availability information be consulted when selecting an access point.