Mobile Device IP Address Correlation for Heterogeneous Network Handovers
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heterogeneous wireless communications environments, mobile devices with simultaneous connections to multiple access networks face challenges in correlating unique IP addresses assigned by each network, leading to issues during intersystem or inter-technology handovers, where packet flows may be disrupted or lost due to the lack of a generic mechanism to link these addresses to the same mobile device.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for mobile device-driven information exchange that uses multiple network connectivity interfaces to manage IP addresses and data transactions across different radio access technologies, allowing for self-contained request-response transactions without the need for explicit acknowledgments or sequential data transfer, enabling the mobile device to initiate new transactions for lost information and select the best path for data exchange based on current conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mobile device maintains simultaneous connections to multiple access networks with different IP addresses, then the device can maintain diverse communication paths and improve connectivity reliability, but the lack of correlation between IP addresses and mobile device identity causes packet flow disruption during handovers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a correlation mechanism that acts as an intermediary between multiple IP addresses and the mobile device identity. This mechanism maintains a mapping relationship between different IP addresses assigned by different access networks and the unique mobile device identifier, enabling proper packet routing and flow management during handovers without losing information.
2Quantity of substance
If packet flows are segmented across multiple datagrams for large information transfers, then the system can handle large data exchanges, but datagrams may arrive in any order or be lost during inter-technology handovers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the mobile device tracks the state of segmented datagrams and can request retransmission of lost packets. The system monitors packet delivery status and provides feedback to the transmitter, enabling reliable data transfer even when datagrams are lost or arrive out of order during handovers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If each access network assigns a unique IP address to the mobile device, then the device can connect to different networks independently, but no generic mechanism exists to correlate these addresses to the same mobile device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal correlation mechanism that works across different access networks and radio access technologies. This mechanism provides a generic solution for correlating IP addresses from multiple networks to the same mobile device identity, enabling seamless handovers and consistent packet routing regardless of which network the device is currently connected to.
4Productivity
If routers use IP addresses to find routing table entries assuming immobile hosts, then routing is simple and efficient, but this assumption fails when mobile devices change attachment points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a correlation mechanism that acts as an intermediary between IP addresses and routing decisions. Instead of routers directly using IP addresses to find static routing table entries, the system maintains a dynamic mapping between IP addresses and current attachment points, allowing routers to efficiently route packets to mobile devices even as they move between networks.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method are disclosed for exchanging data in a heterogeneous wireless communications environment. A mobile device initiates a first communication session with a first radio access network (RAN) that is connected to a wired network comprising a remote fixed node (RFN). A first set of data exchange transactions with the RFN is initiated by the mobile device during the first communication session to exchange a first set of data. The mobile device then initiates a second communication session with a second RAN that is likewise connected to the wired network. A second set of data exchange transactions with the RFN is initiated by the mobile device during the second communication session to exchange a second set of data contemporaneously with the first set of data exchange transactions.