ANDSF Policy Extension for WLAN QoS Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for cellular and WiFi interworking are complex and costly, limiting the deployment of value-added features and integration of small cells and WiFi networks, which hinders the adoption of improved network architectures and policy management mechanisms by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).
Innovation Solution
The extension of Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) policies to include wireless local area network (WLAN) quality of service (QoS) parameters, enabling user equipment to set uplink 802.11e User Priority for offloaded or evolved packet core-routed WiFi traffic, allowing MNOs to provide specified QoS levels for WiFi services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If current cellular and WiFi interworking solutions are implemented, then access to operator-provided services and mobility between cellular and WiFi is enabled, but the complexity and cost of deployment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments QoS management into separate components: ANDSF policies for network selection, separate QoS parameter configurations for WiFi traffic, and application-specific QoS rules. This modular approach allows operators to implement QoS features without deploying complete complex systems, reducing overall deployment complexity while maintaining service versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-configures QoS parameters and policies in the ANDSF before actual WiFi traffic offload occurs. By establishing QoS rules, network selection policies, and traffic management parameters in advance, the system eliminates the need for complex real-time negotiations and dynamic configurations, thereby reducing deployment complexity while enabling versatile service access
2Adaptability or versatility
If QoS management is extended to WiFi networks, then differentiated QoS levels for WiFi services are enabled, but the complexity of policy management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the existing ANDSF framework to handle both cellular and WiFi QoS management through a unified policy structure. The same ANDSF infrastructure that manages network selection now also manages QoS parameters, traffic routing, and application-specific policies across multiple access technologies. This multi-functional approach enables QoS differentiation without requiring separate complex policy management systems for WiFi
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces specific QoS parameters (QCI, ARP, GBR, MBR) that can be configured for WiFi traffic through ANDSF policies. By changing and extending the parameter set available in standard ANDSF configurations to include WiFi-specific QoS metrics, the system enables differentiated QoS levels while maintaining compatibility with existing policy management frameworks, thereby avoiding exponential complexity increases
3Productivity
If small cell and WiFi access are integrated, then network capacity and coverage are improved, but the cost and complexity of implementation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges small cell and WiFi access networks into a unified managed infrastructure through ANDSF. Both access types are governed by the same policy framework, QoS mechanisms, and network selection algorithms. This consolidation allows operators to manage heterogeneous networks through a single system, reducing the operational complexity that would otherwise arise from managing separate small cell and WiFi infrastructures independently, while still achieving improved network capacity through integration
Data Source
AI summary
Access network discovery and selection function (ANDSF) policies are extended to include a wireless local area network quality of service (Qos) parameter in order to create a ANDSF based QoS. This may be used by user equipment to set the uplink 802.11e User Priority (UP) for offloaded or evolved packet core-routed WiFi traffic.