Fleet UE Connectivity Scoring for Location-Based Carrier Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing a fleet of electronic devices to ensure consistent and reliable connectivity to a cellular RF network is challenging due to varying quality of service provided by different wireless service providers and mobile virtual network enablers, leading to connectivity issues that affect communication and device accountability.
Innovation Solution
A system that collects connectivity data from each UE, determines a unique connectivity score for each wireless service provider and mobile virtual network enabler, selects a default provider based on these scores, and dynamically switches UEs to the best provider based on location-specific performance, using scout UEs to gather network performance data and implement algorithms for optimal connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single wireless service provider is used for all UEs, then device complexity is reduced, but connectivity reliability deteriorates due to varying quality of service in different locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fleet management system by implementing location-specific wireless service provider selections. Different UEs or UE groups in different geographical locations are assigned to different wireless service providers based on local connectivity scores, rather than using a single provider for all UEs. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing simplified device management within each location while achieving high reliability across the entire fleet through location-optimized provider selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by determining connectivity scores and selecting wireless service providers based on specific geographical locations. Each location receives a customized wireless service provider assignment based on local network performance data, ensuring optimal connectivity quality for each area while maintaining simplified device management through automated score-based selection.
2Measurement precision
If connectivity data is collected from all UEs continuously, then connectivity score accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by having only scout UEs collect and report connectivity data, rather than requiring continuous data collection from all UEs. The connectivity score is determined based on data from these designated scout devices, which provides sufficient accuracy for provider selection while significantly reducing the overall energy consumption of the fleet. This partial sampling approach resolves the contradiction between measurement precision and energy usage.
3Reliability
If multiple wireless service providers are evaluated for each UE, then connectivity reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where connectivity scores are continuously determined based on collected data from scout UEs, and these scores feed back into the wireless service provider selection process. The system automatically adjusts provider assignments based on updated connectivity scores, ensuring high reliability through multiple provider evaluations while maintaining simplified device management through automated feedback-driven selection rather than manual configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for managing a plurality of user equipments (UEs) are provided, wherein the UEs are part of a system communicable with a communication platform server (CPS) via one of a plurality of wireless service providers communicable with an Internet Protocol (IP) network, the UEs configured to transmit connectivity data associated with locations within a designated coverage area. The method includes receiving, at the CPS, connectivity data associated with two or more wireless service providers from each of a plurality of UEs operational in a designated coverage area, the connectivity data being associated with a location of each of the plurality of UEs within the designated coverage area. A unique connectivity score that indicates a quality of service provided by each of the two or more wireless service providers is determined based on the connectivity data received from each of the plurality of UEs. At least one of the two or more wireless service providers is selected as a default wireless service provider for the plurality of UEs in the designated coverage area based on the determined unique connectivity scores.