Handoff Decision Entity for Multivendor Access Point Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current handoff techniques between wireless access networks of different technologies face challenges in managing terminal mobility across multivendor networks, particularly in selecting the appropriate mobility protocol and ensuring service continuity during handoffs between access points of different technologies.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for handoff flows between multivendor access points that automatically control terminal mobility by using a pair of entities: a handoff decision entity and an execution entity, which select and execute a mobility protocol from a hierarchy of supported protocols, ensuring seamless handoffs between access points of different technologies within or across IP networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If IP-based mobility protocols (Mobile IP, PMIP) are used for handoff between access networks, then terminal mobility across different IP domains is enabled, but handoff delay increases and service continuity is disrupted during frequent access point changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments mobility management into two distinct protocols: one for macro-mobility (inter-IP domain handoff using Mobile IP/PMIP) and another for micro-mobility (intra-IP domain handoff using a simplified protocol). This segmentation allows each protocol to be optimized for its specific use case, reducing handoff delay for frequent local movements while maintaining adaptability for broader mobility scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects which mobility management protocol to use based on the handoff scenario. When a terminal moves between access points within the same IP domain, the simplified micro-mobility protocol is activated. When moving between different IP domains, the full Mobile IP or PMIP protocol is used. This dynamic adaptation optimizes performance for each specific situation.
2Reliability
If centralized mobility management is implemented to control handoffs between multivendor access points, then service continuity is improved, but system complexity increases due to protocol selection and coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal mobility management framework that can handle multiple scenarios through a single coordinated system. The centralized mobility management entity performs multiple functions: selecting the appropriate protocol (Mobile IP, PMIP, or simplified protocol), coordinating handoff between different vendors' access points, and managing both macro and micro mobility. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate systems for each scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized mobility management entity acts as an intermediary between the terminal and the core network during handoff operations. It receives handoff requests, determines the appropriate protocol to use, coordinates with access points and gateways, and manages the entire handoff process. This intermediary role simplifies the complexity by centralizing coordination functions rather than distributing them across multiple entities.
3Productivity
If different mobility protocols are used for macro-mobility and micro-mobility, then handoff efficiency is improved for frequent local movements, but protocol selection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary classification of handoff scenarios before executing the actual handoff. The centralized mobility management entity evaluates whether a handoff is intra-IP domain or inter-IP domain, determines the appropriate protocol in advance, and prepares the necessary signaling and routing configurations before the handoff occurs. This preliminary action reduces protocol selection complexity during the actual handoff execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of protocol selection from a complex multi-factor decision to a simpler parameter based on IP domain equivalence. The key parameter becomes whether the source and destination access points belong to the same IP domain, which determines protocol selection. This parameter simplification reduces selection complexity while maintaining handoff efficiency for different scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for handing off flows. The flow, having a flow identifier, is established between a terminal and a correspondent. The terminal has as many terminal identifiers as access interfaces to access networks of mutually different data technologies. A first execution entity converts a handoff execution order emanating from a decision entity into execution messages by taking into account a hierarchy of execution entities of a current network. After a handoff decision has been taken for a given pair of flow and terminal identifiers, the decision entity sends an execution order to the first execution entity. The first execution entity: selects a mobility protocol from the mobility protocols supported by the execution entities of the hierarchy associated with the current network; selects in the hierarchy at least one execution entity responsible for executing the mobility protocol; and sends to the selected execution entities respective execution messages.