Multi-Access Data Packet Steering via Configurable Rules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems lack a mechanism for a user equipment (UE) to steer traffic of a multi-access data connection to a specific access network, resulting in inefficient data packet routing across different user-plane connections.
Innovation Solution
The UE receives steering rules that include various modes such as policy-based, active-standby, priority-based, best-access, redundant, and load-balancing steering modes, allowing it to selectively route data packets over either a 3GPP or non-3GPP access network based on these rules, ensuring optimal data flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a multi-access data connection is established with multiple user-plane paths, then connectivity reliability and bandwidth are improved, but traffic routing control and data packet steering capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces steering rules as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the multi-access data connection and traffic routing. These rules contain steering modes (policy-based, active-standby, priority-based, best-access, redundant, load-balancing) that act as a control layer to direct data packets to specific access networks, thereby solving the lack of routing control while maintaining multi-access reliability
2Productivity
If multiple user-plane connections are maintained simultaneously, then data continuity and bandwidth utilization are improved, but device complexity and routing decision mechanisms worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing steering modes as configurable parameters that control routing behavior. Different steering modes (policy-based, active-standby, priority-based, best-access, redundant, load-balancing) represent different parameter settings that simplify routing decisions while maintaining multiple user-plane connections, thus managing device complexity through standardized control parameters
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for data packet steering on a multi-access data connection. One apparatus includes a processor, a first transceiver and a second transceiver that communicate with a mobile communication network via a first access network and a second access network, respectively. The processor determines to establish a multi-access data connection that includes a first user-plane connection over the first access network and a second user-plane connection over the second access network. The processor receives steering rules for the multi-access data connection and generates a first data packet to be sent over the multi-access data connection. The processor transmits the first data packet over a selected one of the first and second user-plane connections, the selection based a first steering rule that applies to the first data packet.