Handling Conflicting Interworking Information in Wireless Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless local area network (WLAN) interworking solutions face challenges in handling conflicting assistance information from Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) and radio access network (RAN) level interworking information, which are not responsive to real-time network conditions, leading to suboptimal network selection and access.

Innovation Solution

User equipment receives interworking information from a cellular base station and radio access network information, allowing it to ignore conflicting portions of ANDSF information and follow RAN-level commands for network access, such as handover or traffic routing instructions, to ensure optimal network selection based on real-time conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If user equipment follows static ANDSF policies for network selection, then network access control is simplified, but network selection cannot adapt to real-time network conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork selection adaptabilityVSAvoidinformation handling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by enabling user equipment to switch between static ANDSF policies and dynamic RAN-level interworking information based on real-time network conditions. The UE receives RAN information through broadcast or dedicated signaling and can dynamically override ANDSF policies when RAN information is available, allowing the system to adapt from static to dynamic operation modes as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the priority and applicability parameters of interworking information. When RAN-level interworking information is received, the system changes the parameter state from following ANDSF policies to following RAN information, with the transition controlled by parameters such as information source, applicability conditions, and override flags.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If user equipment receives and processes both ANDSF and RAN interworking information, then network selection accuracy improves, but processing overhead and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork selection accuracyVSAvoidinformation processing overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the extraction principle by selectively extracting and applying only the relevant interworking information from either ANDSF or RAN sources. The UE determines which information source to follow based on specific criteria such as information type, source priority, and applicability conditions, extracting only the necessary guidance for network selection rather than processing all available information equally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by applying different handling rules to different types of interworking information based on their source and characteristics. The system assigns different priorities and applicability rules to ANDSF information versus RAN information, allowing localized optimization of information processing for each source type rather than uniform processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If user equipment overrides ANDSF policies with RAN commands, then real-time network optimization is achieved, but control authority conflicts may arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing the hierarchy and conflict resolution rules between ANDSF and RAN interworking information before actual network selection occurs. The system pre-configures priority levels, applicability conditions, and override mechanisms, so that when conflicts arise, the resolution follows predetermined rules rather than ad-hoc decisions, ensuring control consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2982183B1Method and apparatus for handling overlapping interworking information
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2982183B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2982183B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2982183B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for interworking. In one aspect there is provided a method. The method may include receiving interworking information, wherein the interworking information comprises at least one rule associated with network access; and receiving information from a network, wherein the information describes how to use the at least one rule associated with network access. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.