Dynamic Access Network Selection for Congestion-Aware Session Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing method for selecting an access network type in 5G networks is inflexible, often resulting in inappropriate network choices that reduce communication efficiency due to congestion or overload in the currently used network.
Innovation Solution
A system involving a Policy Control Function (PCF) entity and Session Management Function (SMF) entity that dynamically selects and redirects sessions to a second network based on network status, ensuring the access network type is chosen based on real-time congestion or quota conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the terminal selects access network type based on correspondence between location information and network type sent by ANDSF entity, then the terminal can access the 5G core network, but the access network selection is inflexible and may result in inappropriate network choices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic access network selection by allowing the terminal to switch between 3GPP and non-3GPP networks based on real-time network status (congestion, overload conditions) rather than static location-based selection. The terminal monitors network conditions and dynamically adjusts its access network choice, making the selection mechanism flexible and adaptive to changing network environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces feedback mechanisms where the terminal receives network status information (congestion, overload states) from the network and uses this feedback to adjust its access network selection. The terminal monitors network conditions and bases its selection decisions on real-time feedback about network health, enabling informed and adaptive network choice.
2Productivity
If the terminal uses the currently available 3GPP access network, then the terminal can maintain continuous connectivity, but communication efficiency decreases when the network is congested or overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic network selection where the terminal can switch between 3GPP and non-3GPP access networks based on real-time congestion and overload conditions. When the 3GPP network becomes congested or overloaded, the terminal dynamically transitions to alternative non-3GPP networks, maintaining both connectivity stability and communication efficiency through adaptive network choice.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback-driven network selection where the terminal monitors network status information (congestion, overload states) and uses this feedback to determine when to switch networks. This feedback mechanism ensures the terminal maintains reliable connectivity by switching to available networks while optimizing communication efficiency by avoiding congested networks.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the network provides static access network discovery information, then the network architecture remains simple, but the selected access network type may be inappropriate for current network conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static access network discovery information into dynamic information by enabling the terminal to receive and process real-time network status data (congestion, overload conditions). The terminal uses this dynamic information to adaptively select access networks, making the discovery mechanism flexible while maintaining relatively simple network architecture through terminal-side intelligence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service network selection where the terminal autonomously monitors network conditions, evaluates available networks, and makes selection decisions without complex centralized control. The terminal independently processes network status information and determines optimal access network choices, reducing network management complexity while improving adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a method for selecting an access network type, a device, and a system, to flexibly select an access network type. The method includes: determining, by a policy control function PCF entity, that a network status of a first network does not meet a preset condition, where the first network is a network currently accessed by a terminal; and sending, by the PCF entity, an access network type corresponding to a second network to the terminal, where the access network type corresponding to the second network is used to instruct the terminal to redirect a session of the terminal to the second network, and the second network is a network other than the first network.