Embedded Connection Manager for Wireless Radio Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication devices face challenges in efficiently managing multiple radio connections and selecting the optimal radio for different applications, leading to suboptimal performance and battery consumption.

Innovation Solution

An embedded connection manager within the radio subsystem of a wireless device selects and manages radios based on application requirements and capabilities, using profiles to determine the best connectivity options, enabling seamless handoffs and improved user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple radio connections are managed manually or using traditional methods, then device complexity is reduced, but communication performance and connectivity optimization deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication performanceVSAvoidradio management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A connection manager component is introduced as an intermediary between applications and multiple radio subsystems. This connection manager automatically selects appropriate radios and manages connections based on application requirements, network conditions, and device state, thereby improving communication performance without requiring applications to directly manage radio complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection manager implements self-service by autonomously monitoring application requirements, evaluating available radio connections, and making connection decisions without external intervention. The system automatically adapts to changing conditions and manages radio resources based on predefined policies and real-time status, reducing the need for manual configuration and complex application-level radio management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If optimal radio selection is implemented for each application, then communication performance improves, but processing overhead and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnectivity optimizationVSAvoidbattery consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The connection manager performs preliminary actions by pre-evaluating radio conditions, pre-establishing connection policies, and proactively selecting appropriate radios before applications require connectivity. By anticipating connection needs and pre-configuring optimal radio selections based on historical data and current device state, the system reduces the frequency of expensive real-time decision-making operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic monitoring and evaluation of radio connections rather than continuous assessment. The connection manager periodically checks network conditions, application requirements, and radio status at optimized intervals, making connection decisions only when necessary. This periodic approach maintains connectivity optimization while significantly reducing processing overhead and energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If seamless handoffs between networks are enabled, then user experience improves, but system complexity and management overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experienceVSAvoidhandoff management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection manager serves as an intermediary that abstracts complex handoff management from applications and users. It continuously monitors the state of multiple radio connections and automatically executes handoffs between networks based on predefined policies, quality metrics, and application requirements, thereby providing seamless user experience without exposing handoff complexity to users or applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The handoff management system implements self-service by autonomously detecting when handoffs are needed, selecting target networks, and executing transition operations without external control. The connection manager automatically adapts to network conditions, application performance requirements, and device state changes, making handoff decisions and executing transitions independently to maintain service continuity and improve user experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2438791B1Connection manager for a wireless communication device
Publication Date: 2018.08.08 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2438791B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2438791B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2438791B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Techniques for supporting communication for a wireless device are described. In an aspect, an embedded connection manager may reside within a radio subsystem and support communication for the wireless device. The connection manager may receive at least one connection request sent by at least one application, select at least one radio for use, and provide the selected radio(s) to the application(s). In another aspect, communication may be supported using multiple radios. M out of N available radios may be selected for use, and K applications may be mapped to the M selected radios, where M >1, N > 1, and K ≥1. In yet another aspect, communication may be supported using profiles, which may define the operation of the wireless device to obtain connectivity. In yet another aspect, communication may be supported with auxiliary services, which are services that assist the wireless device to obtain connectivity.