Dynamic Network Selection Using Crowd-Sourced Quality Scores
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless network selection methods, such as Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF), are inadequate in dynamically improving service quality and efficiency, particularly for WLAN, due to limited coverage and high maintenance costs, leading to sub-optimal network choices and user experience issues.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that aggregates network connection information from multiple user terminals to calculate quality scores for wireless networks, using real-time and historical data to dynamically select the best network based on performance conditions, allowing for policy adjustments to offload traffic to third-party networks during congestion and reconnect when conditions improve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If WLAN access points are deployed to provide ubiquitous coverage, then WLAN availability is improved, but maintenance cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines WLAN and cellular networks into a unified heterogeneous network system, allowing mobile terminals to seamlessly switch between WLAN and cellular access points. This merging approach enables shared infrastructure and resources between the two network types, reducing the need for standalone WLAN deployment while maintaining ubiquitous coverage availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The access network discovery and selection function serves multiple purposes: it discovers both WLAN and cellular access points, evaluates their quality using unified metrics, and provides network selection guidance for heterogeneous networks. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems for WLAN and cellular management.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional network management techniques are used for WLAN, then deployment is simplified, but service quality assurance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the access network discovery and selection function continuously monitors network quality metrics (signal strength, data rate, latency) and uses this information to dynamically adjust network selection decisions. This feedback loop enables automatic optimization of service quality without manual intervention, maintaining both deployment simplicity and service quality assurance.
3Device complexity
If static network selection policies are used, then policy management is simplified, but adaptability to changing network conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static network selection policies into dynamic policies that automatically adjust based on real-time network conditions. The access network discovery and selection function continuously evaluates current network state (signal quality, load, mobility) and modifies selection decisions accordingly, enabling the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining manageable policy complexity through automated decision-making.
4Productivity
If WLAN is used as alternate network for data offloading, then cellular network load is reduced, but QoS assurance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous monitoring of QoS metrics (data rate, packet loss, latency) on both WLAN and cellular networks, using this feedback to dynamically determine when and where to offload traffic. This ensures that data offloading occurs only when QoS requirements can be met, maintaining both offloading efficiency and QoS assurance through real-time condition assessment.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for selecting a network to establish a connection to from a set of available network includes a network database providing historical information about each of the networks and sends the database information to end user terminals. The end user terminals monitor real-time performance information about each of the available networks and can send this information to the network database. The end user terminals also include network connection policy information which can be used to make the selection decision. The end user terminal determines a network quality score for each available network as a function of the historical information from the network database, the real-time performance information about each available network and the network connection policy information. The end user terminal can select the available network as a function of the network quality score, for example, selecting the available network with the highest network quality score.