Mobile Server Connectivity Management Across Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing telecommunications systems face challenges in efficiently managing the connectivity of mobile terminals across different networks, particularly when terminals are outside network coverage or unable to communicate with access points, requiring time-consuming and complex processes, and involving proprietary protocols that complicate server management.

Innovation Solution

A mobile server system that centrally manages connectivity for multiple terminals across various networks using open protocols, storing connectivity parameters in a tree structure based on the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) model, allowing terminals to connect via multiple communication modules (WLAN, WWAN, etc.) and switch between networks if one link fails, while authenticating and allocating IP addresses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a terminal connects to a mobile access point to communicate through the network, then the terminal can communicate when outside network coverage, but the connection process becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnectivity availabilityVSAvoidconnection establishment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile server pre-establishes connections with multiple telecommunications networks before needing them. Connection parameters are pre-configured and stored in the memory area, allowing the terminal to quickly access pre-established network paths without time-consuming connection negotiations when mobility requires network switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile server acts as an intermediary between the terminal and multiple telecommunications networks. It manages all connection parameters and network communications centrally, simplifying the terminal's role to just connecting to the mobile server while the mobile server handles complex network interactions, reducing connection establishment time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a mobile access point uses proprietary protocols to manage connectivity, then it can control terminal connections, but the connection server must support multiple proprietary protocols increasing system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnectivity management capabilityVSAvoidprotocol management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile server is designed with universal functionality to manage connectivity across multiple telecommunications networks using standard protocols. It can serve multiple terminals and support multiple network types (WLAN, WWAN, etc.) through a single unified system, eliminating the need for separate proprietary protocol implementations for each network type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from proprietary protocols with fixed parameters to configurable connection parameters stored in a structured memory area. The mobile server can dynamically select and apply appropriate connection parameters from stored sets based on the terminal and network conditions, providing flexibility without requiring multiple dedicated protocol stacks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the mobile server stores connectivity parameters for multiple networks, then it can manage diverse network connections, but the memory requirements and parameter management increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork compatibilityVSAvoidstored parameter data
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Connection parameters are segmented into distinct sets stored in the memory area, with each set corresponding to specific network conditions or terminal types. The mobile server extracts only the relevant parameter set needed for the current connection scenario, avoiding storage and processing of all possible parameters simultaneously, thus reducing memory requirements while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2976915B1Method and device for managing the connectivity of a terminal by means of a mobile server in a telecommunications network
Publication Date: 2023.05.03 AIRBUS DEFENCE & SPACE SAS
  • EP2976915B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2976915B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2976915B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a mobile server for managing the connectivity of at least one terminal (40, 50) for communicating through one or a plurality of communications network(s) (20, 30), the mobile server (10) including: at least one terminal communication module (122, 124, 126) configured to communicate with said terminal (40, 50); a plurality of network communication modules (112, 114, 116) configured to communicate with a plurality of telecommunications networks (20, 30); and a storage area (138), in which connectivity parameter values of the terminal (40, 50) are stored, said values enabling the terminal to be connected to the mobile server (20, 30). The mobile server (10) is configured to be connected to a plurality of telecommunications networks (20, 30) via the plurality of network communication modules (112, 114, 116), to extract a set of connectivity parameter values of the terminal (40, 50) from the storage area (138), and to allow or not allow, on the basis of the extracted set of connectivity parameter values, the connection of the terminal (40, 50) via at least one of the terminal communication modules (122, 124, 126), so that the terminal (40, 50) can communicate applicative data through at least one of the telecommunications networks (20, 30) via at least said terminal communication module (122, 124, 126) and at least one of the network communication modules (112, 114, 116).