Mobile Data Offloading Management Centre for 3GPP and Non-3GPP Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for data offload between 3GPP and non-3GPP networks, such as Wi-Fi and femtocells, are inefficient due to lack of seamless integration and visibility across different networks, leading to suboptimal user experience and security concerns, with existing solutions like ANDSF and IEEE 802.11u facing vendor implementation issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a management center collects and communicates access point performance parameters from both 3GPP and non-3GPP networks to a mobile device, generating an overview and management actions to optimize data offloading, including advice on network switching and signal power reconfiguration, enabling better decision-making for data offload between 3GPP and non-3GPP networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If device-based automatic Wi-Fi selection is implemented, then connection speed may be improved when Wi-Fi signal is strong, but user experience degrades when Wi-Fi coverage is poor or security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a management centre as an intermediary between mobile devices and access points. This centre collects performance parameters from both 3GPP and non-3GPP networks, generates overviews, and provides binding recommendations to devices. This mediator resolves the contradiction by making informed network selection decisions based on comprehensive network conditions rather than simple device-based automatic selection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ANDSF is used for non-3GPP access, then network selection capability is improved, but vendor compatibility deteriorates due to lack of support
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal management centre that works across multiple vendors and network types (both 3GPP and non-3GPP). Instead of requiring specific vendor implementation of ANDSF, the solution provides a vendor-agnostic platform that collects performance parameters and generates binding recommendations, making the network selection capability universally applicable regardless of device vendor.
3Adaptability or versatility
If IEEE 802.11u with 802.21 handoff is implemented, then interworking between 3G and Wi-Fi is improved, but authentication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication and network selection complexity from the device level and centralizes it in the management centre. Instead of implementing complex 802.21 handoff and 802.11u authentication mechanisms in every device, the solution takes out these functions and provides simplified binding recommendations from the central authority, reducing device complexity while maintaining interworking capability.
4Measurement precision
If management centre collects performance parameters from multiple networks, then network overview accuracy is improved, but information collection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where access points automatically provide performance parameters to the management centre without requiring complex collection infrastructure. The management centre leverages existing network elements to self-report their status, achieving accurate network overviews while minimizing the complexity of information collection through automated, standardized parameter exchange.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method, system and related devices for mobile data offloading of a mobile device between an access point of a 3GPP network and an access point of a non 3GPP network. Either an access point of the 3GPP network or an access point of the non-3GPP access point provides said mobile device with internet access. The mobile data offloading being under control of a management centre that is coupled to each access point of said 3GPP network, and is coupled to each access point of the non-3GPP network and is coupled to the at least one mobile device, The method comprises the steps of collecting at least one access point performance parameter corresponding to at least one access point of said 3GPP networks and corresponding to at least one access point of said non-3GPP networks by at least one mobile device and the at least one mobile device communicating said at least one access point performance parameters corresponding to said 3GPP access points and corresponding to said non 3GPP access points to said management center and the step of the management centre generating an access point overview based on said at least one access point performance parameters corresponding to said 3GPP access points and corresponding to said and non 3GPP access points and finally the management center generating a management action based on said access point overview.