Wireless Device Alternate Network Selection via Network-Provided Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication devices consume excessive energy and time searching for alternate networks due to increased numbers of available networks and radio access technologies, leading to prolonged scanning and registration times.
Innovation Solution
A multi-mode wireless communication device receives alternate radio access technology network information from an initial network using its first radio access technology, allowing it to quickly register on an initial network and switch to a more preferred alternate network, thereby reducing scanning and registration time and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mobile device continuously scans for alternate networks on multiple channels and RATs, then the device can find higher-priority networks, but the battery power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The network provides advance information about alternate RAT networks to the mobile device before the device needs to scan for them. This preliminary provision of network information allows the device to avoid exhaustive scanning and directly connect to suitable networks, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable network selection
Solution Approach 2:
The initial network acts as an intermediary that provides information about alternate networks to the mobile device. Instead of the device directly scanning all possible networks (which consumes excessive power), the network intermediary filters and provides relevant network information, reducing the device's scanning burden and power consumption
2Reliability
If the mobile device scans for networks on multiple RATs and channels, then it can find the best network match, but the scanning and registration time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network provides advance information about alternate RAT networks including their characteristics and suitability. This preliminary information allows the mobile device to skip time-consuming scanning of unsuitable networks and directly register with appropriate networks, reducing overall registration time while maintaining network match quality
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the device to perform complete exhaustive scanning of all possible networks and RATs, the system provides partial information about suitable networks in advance. This partial information is sufficient for the device to make good network selection decisions without performing the full exhaustive search, reducing time loss
3Reliability
If the mobile device performs exhaustive network scanning to ensure finding the best network, then network selection reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network serves as an intermediary that performs part of the network assessment work and provides filtered information to the mobile device. This reduces the complexity of the device's scanning system while maintaining reliable network acquisition, as the device relies on the network's information rather than performing all assessments itself
Data Source
AI summary
A method for selecting an alternate wireless communication system for a wireless communication device is disclosed. The method comprises using a first radio access technology (RAT) by a wireless communication device when scanning (202) for an initial wireless communication network (201). The wireless communication device further registers (215) to the initial wireless communication network (201). Then, the initial wireless communication network (201) determines (206) alternate RAT wireless communication network information for the wireless communication device and sends (235) the alternate RAT wireless communication network information to the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device receives the alternate RAT wireless communication network information and selects (240) a first alternate wireless communication network from within the alternate RAT wireless communication network information, scans for the first alternate wireless communication network using an alternate RAT and registers with the first alternate wireless communication network using the alternate RAT.