iRAT Manager for Seamless Session Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication devices with multiple radio interfaces face challenges in seamlessly transferring active data sessions between different radio access technologies (RATs) without disrupting real-time applications, as current application layer mobility solutions require complex modifications and are not suitable for real-time applications like video conferencing or VoLTE.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an inter-radio access technology (iRAT) manager to anchor data sessions to a logical radio interface and transparently route data to a selected physical interface, allowing seamless handover between interfaces such as cellular and Wi-Fi without impacting the application layer, thus enabling continuous session mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If application layer mobility solutions are implemented to support interface switching between different RATs, then session mobility capability is improved, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobility management entity (MME) or network element as an intermediary that handles session mobility at the network layer. This intermediary manages the binding between data sessions and radio interfaces, transparently routing traffic during handovers without requiring application layer modifications. The network element acts as a mediator between the application and the radio interface changes, resolving the contradiction by moving the complexity from the device to the network side.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the mobility management function into separate layers: network layer (handling session anchoring and routing) and application layer (unchanged). By separating these functions, the complex mobility management is isolated at the network layer while applications remain simple, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining session mobility capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If application layer mobility solutions are used to enable interface switching, then session mobility is supported, but real-time applications experience session interruption or dropping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a data session anchor at the network layer before any radio interface changes occur. This preliminary anchoring ensures that the session binding is pre-configured at the network element, allowing seamless traffic redirection during handovers. The session is already bound to the network anchor, so when interface switching occurs, the connection is maintained without interruption, ensuring real-time session continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous session connectivity by keeping the data session bound to a persistent network anchor throughout the handover process. The network element continuously manages the routing, ensuring that the useful action of data transmission remains uninterrupted during radio interface changes. This continuity approach ensures real-time applications experience no session dropping or interruption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If each application implements its own mobility function at the application layer, then session mobility is achieved, but the complexity of application development and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network-based mobility management intermediary that handles all session mobility functions centrally. Applications no longer need to implement their own mobility logic; instead, they communicate with the network anchor that manages interface switching transparently. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for complex application-level mobility implementations, greatly simplifying application development and maintenance while maintaining full session mobility support.
Solution Approach 2:
The network mobility management system provides self-service mobility management, automatically handling session anchoring, binding, and routing without requiring application intervention. The system serves itself by managing mobility at the network layer, freeing applications from implementing complex mobility functions. This self-service approach at the network level dramatically reduces application implementation complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for seamless session mobility on wireless communication device including a first physical interface and a second physical interface is provided. The method can include a wireless communication device anchoring a data session for an application to a logical interface associated with the first physical interface. The method can further include the wireless communication device routing data for the data session sent to the logical interface by the application to the second physical interface for transmission via the second physical interface in an instance in which the wireless communication device has an active connection to a radio access network via the second physical interface.