Communication Apparatus Traffic Offloading via Virtual Network Node
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network congestion relief techniques are limited to terminals capable of accessing multiple radio systems, and fail to offload communication traffic when such access is not possible, leading to ineffective congestion reduction.
Innovation Solution
A communication system that selects a suitable network node for a terminal by performing predetermined signal processing in a legacy network and utilizing a virtual machine in a virtual network to offload communication data, allowing traffic to be routed through the virtual network even when the terminal cannot access multiple radio systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If network switching technique is used to ease congestion, then communication efficiency is improved, but it is limited to terminals capable of accessing multiple radio systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a base station as an intermediary that performs network determination and switching decisions. Instead of requiring the terminal to autonomously determine and switch networks, the base station acts as a mediator that receives communication data from the terminal, determines the appropriate network (first or second network), and forwards the data accordingly. This resolves the contradiction by enabling network switching functionality at the network side rather than requiring terminal-side multi-radio capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of network functionality through the base station. The base station replicates the network determination and routing functions that would otherwise require the terminal to have direct access to multiple radio systems. By copying these functions to the base station, the system enables congestion relief for terminals that lack multi-radio access capability.
2Productivity
If terminal performs autonomous network switching, then congestion relief is achieved, but terminal must be capable of operating in multiple radio systems
Solution Approach 1:
The base station serves as an intermediary that centralizes the network determination function. Instead of the terminal performing autonomous network switching (which requires complex multi-radio capabilities), the base station performs the determination and switching. This transfers the complexity from the terminal to the network infrastructure, enabling congestion relief without increasing terminal device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the network determination and switching functionality from the terminal and relocates it to the base station. By taking out this complex function from the terminal, the system achieves congestion relief capability without requiring the terminal to have the complex multi-radio system capabilities needed for autonomous switching.
3Productivity
If traffic offloading is performed, then network congestion is reduced, but it requires terminal to access plurality of radio systems
Solution Approach 1:
The base station acts as an intermediary that enables traffic offloading without requiring terminal access to multiple radio systems. The terminal sends communication data to the base station, which then determines whether to forward the data through the first network or offload it to the second network. This intermediary approach decouples the traffic offloading capability from terminal radio system accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station creates a virtual routing function that copies the traffic offloading capability to the network side. Instead of requiring the terminal to directly access multiple radio systems for offloading, the base station replicates the routing decision-making function, enabling traffic offloading for terminals with limited radio system access.
Data Source
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AI summary
A new traffic offloading technique in a communication system is provided. A communication apparatus according to the present invention includes: a first means for selecting, from among a plurality of network nodes including a first network node and a second network node, the second network node for a terminal capable of autonomous communication with a communication-counterpart equipment, wherein the first network node performs predetermined signal processing in a first network and the second network node operates a function of the first network node through a virtual machine in a second network; and a second means for sending communication data related to the terminal to the second network node selected.