FWA Dynamic Local Network Policies for RAN Congestion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless networks face challenges in efficiently managing congestion across different radio access technologies, leading to suboptimal user experiences and potential disruptions in connectivity.

Innovation Solution

A system that monitors Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of a radio access network (RAN) to detect congestion conditions and implements dynamic network policies on Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) devices to optimize communications with client devices based on real-time network metrics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dynamic network policies are implemented based on real-time RAN metrics, then network congestion management is improved and user experience is enhanced, but device complexity and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork congestion managementVSAvoidFWA device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a network controller as an intermediary that centralizes the complexity of policy management. The controller receives RAN metrics, determines appropriate network policies, and distributes them to FWA devices. This mediator approach allows dynamic congestion management without requiring complex decision-making logic within each FWA device, thus improving reliability while managing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where RAN metrics are monitored in real-time, policy decisions are made based on current network conditions, and these policies are applied to FWA device traffic. The system continuously adapts based on ongoing metric collection, creating a closed-loop control mechanism that enhances congestion management reliability through dynamic adjustment without permanent complexity increases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If real-time monitoring of RAN KPIs is performed to detect congestion conditions, then responsiveness to network conditions is improved, but use of energy and processing resources increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecongestion detection speedVSAvoidenergy consumption for monitoring

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the intensive monitoring and analysis functions from individual FWA devices and concentrates them in a centralized network controller. FWA devices perform only lightweight metric collection and forwarding, while the controller handles complex real-time analysis of RAN KPIs. This extraction allows rapid congestion detection through centralized processing without burdening individual devices with high energy consumption for continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20250220458A1Systems and methods for dynamic local network policies based on access network metrics

Publication Date: 2025.07.03 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

A system described herein may monitor Key Performance Indicators (“KPIs”) of a radio access network (“RAN”) that implements a first radio access technology (“RAT”), such as a Fifth Generation (“5G”) RAT. The system may determine, based on monitoring the KPIs of the RAN, that a particular RAN condition has occurred, and may notify a Fixed Wireless Access (“FWA”) device, that is wirelessly connected to the RAN via the first RAT and that is also wirelessly connected to a plurality of client devices via a second RAT, such as a WiFi RAT, that the particular RAN condition has occurred. The FWA device may implement one or more policies for communications between the FWA device and the plurality of client devices based on receiving the notification that the particular RAN condition has occurred.