ANDSF Traffic Offloading via Policy-Based Network Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for enhanced cooperation and integration between WLAN and cellular networks to optimize traffic offloading and manage network load effectively, as existing solutions fail to efficiently balance traffic between these networks, leading to potential congestion and reduced throughput.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) system that uses Management Objects (MOs) to determine and communicate selection criteria to User Equipment (UE), allowing it to offload traffic between WLAN and cellular networks based on signal strength thresholds and operator-defined policies, thereby enabling load balancing and improved Quality of Experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traffic offloading between WLAN and cellular networks is implemented, then network throughput and user experience are improved, but network complexity and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) as an intermediary entity that mediates between WLAN and cellular networks. The ANDSF receives information from both networks, processes it according to operator policies, and provides traffic steering decisions to User Equipment (UE). This intermediary approach enables coordinated multi-network operation without requiring direct complex interactions between the WLAN and cellular networks themselves, thus improving throughput while managing coordination complexity.
2Productivity
If operator-defined traffic steering policies are implemented, then network load management is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements traffic steering by dynamically changing network parameters based on operator-defined policies. The ANDSF evaluates multiple parameters including signal strength thresholds, network load conditions, and policy rules to determine optimal traffic routing decisions. By parameterizing the policy management approach, the system achieves effective network load management while maintaining flexibility and avoiding hard-coded complex logic.
3Reliability
If multiple wireless communication technologies are utilized, then network capacity and reliability are improved, but device complexity and selection difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables User Equipment (UE) to autonomously perform network selection and traffic steering decisions based on information provided by the ANDSF. The UE self-evaluates its current network conditions, compares them against operator policies, and automatically switches between WLAN and cellular networks as needed. This self-service approach improves connection reliability through multi-network utilization while reducing the complexity burden on network operators and simplifying the user experience.
Data Source
AI summary
Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and methods of Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) for traffic offloading. For example, an ANDSF Management Object (MO) may include one or more ANDSF policies, at least one ANDSF policy including ANDSF selection criteria to offload traffic between a cellular network and a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN); and a preference indicator to indicate a preference between the ANDSF selection criteria and Radio Access Network (RAN) selection criteria from the cellular network.