Adaptive WLAN Offloading Thresholds via QoE Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heterogeneous networks face challenges in efficiently offloading traffic from macrocells to WLANs due to suboptimal selection thresholds, leading to inconsistent Quality of Experience (QoE) for users, as current methods fail to adaptively adjust these thresholds based on real-time performance feedback.
Innovation Solution
User Equipment (UE) measures and reports Quality of Experience (QoE) for both cellular and WLAN connections, allowing the network to adjust selection thresholds dynamically, ensuring better performance by routing traffic to WLAN access points that provide improved QoE.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fixed thresholds are used for WLAN selection, then the selection process is simple and fast, but the Quality of Experience (QoE) consistency deteriorates due to inability to adapt to changing network conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from fixed thresholds to adaptive thresholds that dynamically adjust based on real-time QoE feedback. The network continuously monitors QoE metrics (throughput, delay, packet loss) and modifies selection thresholds accordingly, enabling the system to adapt to changing network conditions while maintaining simple user operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where QoE measurements from WLAN and cellular networks are continuously collected and fed back to the network. This feedback loop enables the network to adjust selection thresholds based on actual performance data, resolving the contradiction between simple selection and consistent QoE by using real-time performance information.
2Reliability
If adaptive threshold adjustment is implemented, then QoE consistency is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional measurement and feedback mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the network to automatically perform QoE measurements, analyze performance data, and adjust thresholds without requiring complex manual configuration. The system self-manages the adaptive threshold adjustment process, reducing the burden of complexity while maintaining QoE consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by modifying selection thresholds based on QoE feedback rather than using fixed values. The network dynamically adjusts threshold parameters (such as QoE improvement thresholds) to optimize WLAN selection, achieving QoE consistency through parameter adaptation rather than complex system reconfiguration.
3Productivity
If QoE-based adaptive thresholds are used, then traffic offloading performance is improved, but network complexity increases due to continuous monitoring and adjustment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring QoE measurement parameters and threshold ranges before traffic offloading decisions are made. The network prepares measurement frameworks and initial threshold values in advance, enabling efficient real-time offloading performance optimization without requiring complex continuous adjustment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where QoE data from traffic offloading is continuously monitored and fed back to adjust future selection decisions. This feedback loop enables the network to optimize traffic offloading performance adaptively, resolving the contradiction between improved productivity and reduced network complexity through intelligent decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for adaptation of WLAN selection thresholds. In one aspect there is provided a method, which may include receiving, at a user equipment, information including one or more thresholds for use when evaluating a selection of a wireless local area network access point for offloading; comparing, by the user equipment, a quality of an access provided by the wireless local area network access point selected in accordance with the one or more thresholds to another quality provided by a cellular access point; reporting, by the user equipment, a result of the comparing; and receiving, by the user equipment in response to the reporting, additional information including one or more adjusted thresholds for use when evaluating wireless local area network access point selection. Related systems, articles of manufacture, and the like are also disclosed.