Mobile Device Network Selection for Concurrent IP Session Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In UMTS networks, the limited number of concurrent PDP contexts supported by routing areas can lead to service delays and deactivation of active PDP contexts when additional services are requested, especially in overlay scenarios where Femto and Macro cells overlap, forcing mobile devices to select cells that cannot support the required number of concurrent PDP contexts.
Innovation Solution
A method in a mobile device that stores the number of concurrent IP sessions for each network area and performs cell selection based on this history, preferentially choosing cells that can support a higher number of concurrent IP sessions, especially when overlapping network areas are detected, to ensure optimal PDP context management and service continuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional network selection criteria are used, then cell selection is simplified, but the number of concurrent IP sessions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device performs preliminary actions by storing history information about the number of concurrent IP sessions supported by previously visited network areas before cell selection is needed. This preliminary data collection enables informed cell selection without adding real-time complexity during the selection process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using stored history information from previously visited network areas to guide current cell selection decisions. The mobile device feedbacks with its historical knowledge of network capabilities to make more informed selections, improving adaptability while managing complexity through reuse of past data.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more services are requested than supported by the network, then service diversity increases, but service reliability decreases due to delays and deactivations
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device performs preliminary assessment by storing and referencing history information about network capabilities before initiating new service requests. This allows the device to anticipate whether a network area can support additional IP sessions and make proactive decisions to maintain service continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The history information acts as an intermediary between the mobile device and the network. It mediates the interaction by providing the device with knowledge about network capabilities, enabling it to make informed decisions about service requests without directly controlling network resources.
3Ease of operation
If the mobile device selects cells based on signal strength alone, then selection is simple, but the number of supported PDP contexts is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cell selection process is made multi-functional by considering both signal strength and network capability (number of concurrent IP sessions) simultaneously. The mobile device universally evaluates multiple criteria rather than relying on a single parameter, enabling it to select cells that support more PDP contexts while maintaining ease of operation through automated multi-criteria evaluation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters used for cell selection from solely signal strength to include both signal strength and network capability information. By modifying the selection criteria to incorporate historical network capability data, the system enables selection of cells with higher PDP context capacity while maintaining operational simplicity through automated parameter evaluation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method in a mobile device is provided. The method includes storing (2-1) the number of IP (Internet protocol) sessions available to the mobile device for each of a number of network areas; and when the mobile device is in a location where two of the network areas overlap, performing cell selection (2-2) based on the stored number of IP sessions for each of the overlapping network areas.