Data Link Layer Switching for WLAN Cellular Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing communication technologies face instability in transmission speed when using WLAN due to shared radio channel busy conditions, and service interruptions occur when switching between different communication standards due to IP address and routing path changes.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that preferentially use the WLAN standard for service flow transmission, switching to the wireless cellular standard when the WLAN link fails, and vice versa when it recovers, all at the data link layer to maintain continuous transmission without changing IP addresses or routing paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If WLAN communications standard is used for data transmission, then transmission speed can be high, but transmission stability deteriorates due to shared radio channel being busy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic communication standard selection by enabling the terminal to switch between WLAN and wireless cellular standards based on real-time channel conditions. The terminal monitors WLAN channel availability and automatically transitions to cellular standard when WLAN channel is busy, and vice versa, making the communication system adaptable to changing environmental conditions rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the communication parameter (standard type) from fixed to variable. By introducing a switching mechanism that alters the communication standard parameter based on channel status, the system can optimize between speed (WLAN) and stability (cellular), resolving the contradiction between transmission speed and stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If switching between WLAN and wireless cellular communications standards is performed at network layer or above, then flexibility is improved, but service flow interruption occurs due to IP address and routing path changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication protocol stack into distinct layers with different switching functions. The data link layer handles standard switching while the network layer maintains consistent IP addressing and routing. This segmentation allows switching operations at the lower data link layer without triggering network layer reconfiguration, thereby maintaining service flow continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the data link layer as an intermediary between the physical communication standards and the network layer protocols. This intermediary layer abstracts the standard switching from the network layer, allowing standard changes without affecting IP addresses and routing paths, thus preventing service flow interruption.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclose a multiple-communications-standard transmission method and apparatus. The method includes when both a WLAN communications standard and a wireless cellular communications standard are available, sending, by a transmit end supporting multiple communications standards by preferentially using the WLAN communications standard, a service flow of a service session to a receive end supporting multiple communications standards. The method also includes in response to that a first switch condition is met, switching, by the transmit end at a data link layer, to using the wireless cellular communications standard for continuous transmission of the service flow, where the first switch condition includes at least that a WLAN communication link fails in communication.