Dual Subscription Router Connection Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile broadband routers experience unreliable connections due to high load and varying throughput, especially when relying on a single operator, leading to degraded user experiences such as video streaming issues, and are impractical for installation in vehicles where coverage changes frequently.
Innovation Solution
A method for managing connection states of at least two subscriptions in a routing apparatus, where one subscription is active and the other is inactive or detached, allowing for automatic switching based on parameters like channel quality, data rate, geographical position, or modem status, ensuring seamless switching without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a router relies on a single mobile broadband subscription, then device complexity is reduced, but connection reliability deteriorates due to high load and varying throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The router divides the single connection into multiple subscriptions (SIM cards), each associated with a dedicated connection to different mobile network operators. This segmentation allows the system to switch between operators when one experiences high load or poor throughput, thereby improving connection reliability without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors parameters such as throughput, signal strength, and connection quality for each subscription. When a parameter threshold is breached (e.g., throughput drops below a certain level), the system automatically switches to another subscription, changing the operational parameters to maintain reliable connectivity.
2Reliability
If manual switching between operator subscriptions is implemented, then connection reliability improves, but user convenience deteriorates due to substantial time required for SIM card changes
Solution Approach 1:
The router is equipped with automatic monitoring and switching capabilities that eliminate the need for manual user intervention. The system self-manages the subscription switching process by continuously monitoring connection quality parameters and automatically transitioning to an alternative subscription when degradation is detected, thus maintaining reliability while preserving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The router maintains multiple subscriptions in advance, with at least one active and another in inactive or detached state. This preliminary preparation ensures that when a switch is needed, the alternative connection is already available, eliminating the time-consuming manual SIM card change process and ensuring immediate continuity of service.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a router is installed in a vehicle with frequent coverage changes, then mobility is improved, but connection stability deteriorates due to handovers to low throughput systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts to changing environmental conditions by continuously monitoring connection parameters and automatically switching between subscriptions based on real-time performance. This dynamic behavior allows the router to maintain stable throughput in mobile environments where coverage and signal quality frequently change, resolving the contradiction between mobility and reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A technique for managing connection states of at least two subscriptions in the routing apparatus is disclosed, wherein each subscription is associated with a dedicated connection, wherein the associated connection of a first subscription is in a connected state, wherein the associated connection of a second subscription is in an inactive or detached state. In a method aspect, the method is performed in a routing apparatus and comprises the steps of monitoring, for a first subscription, at least one parameter indicative of a status of the associated connection; determining whether the at least one parameter fulfils a condition; and if the determining step is affirmative, disconnecting the associated connection for the first subscription to the inactive or detached state, and initiating, for the second subscription, the associated connection to the connected state.