Access Point Network Technology Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network devices capable of multiple access technologies face challenges in communicating the type of access technology used for their network connections, leading to potential issues in device operation and behavior modification.
Innovation Solution
An access point device and method for transmitting an indication of its access technology used for the network connection, allowing connected devices to operate accordingly, using mechanisms like Router Advertisements and Neighbor Discovery options in IPv6 networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a device acts as an access point using multiple access technologies for northbound and southbound connections, then the device can provide flexible network sharing capabilities, but the connected devices cannot determine which access technology is used for the network connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (indication transmission through router advertisement messages or other signaling protocols) that conveys access technology type information from the access point to connected devices. This intermediary solves the information loss problem by adding a new communication layer that carries the missing technology type data without disrupting the existing multi-technology network sharing architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network information into distinct components: the access technology type indication is separated from the general network advertisement data. By transmitting the access technology type as a separate indication (either in dedicated fields or through specific signaling messages), the system enables devices to identify the technology type while maintaining the overall network sharing functionality intact.
2Reliability
If a device transmits access technology indication information, then connected devices can modify their behavior appropriately, but the device complexity increases due to additional transmission mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal indication mechanism that can convey access technology type information across multiple existing communication protocols and message types. Rather than creating a completely new transmission system, the invention adapts existing router advertisement messages, DHCP options, or other standard networking protocols to carry the technology indication, thereby reducing additional device complexity while ensuring reliable information delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The access point automatically determines and transmits its own access technology type indication without requiring external configuration or manual intervention. The device self-services by extracting its own connection technology information and broadcasting it to connected devices, reducing the operational complexity while maintaining high reliability in the indication transmission process.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for exchanging network connection access technology information amongst nodes in a communication network. An access point such as a router can include an indication of the access technology used for its network connection in a message for the end-user network device (e.g LTE). The network device can connect to the router using a different access technology (e.g. WLAN) for its local connection, nut exploits the router's network access technology information received to determine the own behaviour (e.g. stop applications or software updates).