Access Selection Server for Network Load Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks lack the ability to control access selection for User Equipment (UE) across multiple access types, limiting network providers' capacity to optimize network load and guide users to the most appropriate access type for applications.
Innovation Solution
An Access Selection Server (ASS) is introduced to manage multiple accesses for UE, storing information on access types and network load, and communicating control messages to UE to enable controlled access selection based on criteria like network load, service type, location, and time of day.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the terminal autonomously selects access types without network control, then the terminal has operational independence and quick access selection, but the network cannot optimize network load or guide users to appropriate access types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an Access Selection Server (ASS) as an intermediary between the terminal and multiple access networks. The ASS receives access selection requests from terminals, evaluates multiple available access types based on network load, service requirements, and user profiles, then recommends optimal access types. This mediator enables centralized network control while maintaining terminal autonomy, resolving the contradiction between operational independence and network optimization capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple access types are supported in the terminal, then service versatility and access options increase, but the complexity of access selection and management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex access selection logic from the terminal and relocates it to the network-side Access Selection Server. The terminal only needs to send simple requests and receive recommendations, while the ASS handles the complex evaluation of multiple access types, service requirements, and network conditions. This extraction reduces terminal complexity while preserving service versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The ASS acts as an intelligent intermediary that manages the complexity of multiple access types. It maintains user profiles, service requirements, and access type evaluations, then provides simplified recommendations to terminals. This intermediary approach allows terminals to support multiple access types without bearing the full complexity burden.
3Productivity
If the network introduces centralized access selection control, then network load optimization and service quality improve, but the system complexity and control infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The Access Selection Server is designed as a universal multi-functional platform that handles diverse access types (3G, LTE, WiMAX, WLAN) and various service requirements through a unified architecture. It maintains user profiles, evaluates multiple access types, and provides recommendations across different network scenarios. This multi-functionality allows centralized control without proportionally increasing system complexity, as the ASS handles multiple functions within a single infrastructure element.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides an Access Selection Server (ASS) and a method for the same. The invention also provides a User Equipment (UE). The Access Selection Server (ASS) comprises storing means and software and is adapted for location in a communication network comprising at least one User Equipment (UE) and communication nodes. The ASS is also arranged to store information of all accesses for each UE in the communication network and information of overall load status of the communication network in the storing means by means of collecting information through interactions with the communication nodes, the UE and an Access Selection Server subscriber Data Base (ASS DB). The ASS is further arranged to communicate control messages, based on the stored information, from the ASS to the UE, thereby enabling control of multiple UE-accesses from the ASS.