Multi-mode Mobile Station Session Handoff Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-mode mobile stations face challenges in seamlessly transitioning communication sessions from one wireless network to another due to differences in supported technologies and capabilities between wireless wide area networks (WWANs) and local area networks (WLANs, leading to potential loss of service or reduced performance during handoffs.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for managing communication sessions in multi-mode mobile stations, which involves storing session information and evaluating it according to predefined policies to determine which sessions can be continued on a second wireless network, allowing for seamless handoffs between WWANs and WLANs, with options for users to choose how to proceed based on session continuity and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-mode mobile station uses diverse wireless access technologies for communication, then wireless coverage and transmission capabilities are improved, but seamless handoff between networks becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of session information before actual handoff occurs. The network entity stores session information and evaluates it according to predefined policies to determine which sessions can be continued on the target network, preparing the handoff path in advance to ensure seamless transition.
Solution Approach 2:
A network entity acts as an intermediary between the mobile station and the wireless networks. This intermediary stores session information, evaluates compatibility with target networks, and manages the handoff process, shielding the mobile station from the complexity of multi-network coordination.
2Reliability
If different wireless networks support different types of communication sessions, then network specialization and performance are improved, but session continuity during handoff deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of session information representation to enable evaluation. By storing and evaluating session information according to predefined policies, the system determines which sessions can be continued on the target network, allowing seamless handoff of compatible sessions while maintaining network-specific optimizations.
3Measurement precision
If session information is stored and evaluated according to policy, then handoff decision accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts session information from the mobile station and stores it in a network entity. This separation allows the network to perform centralized policy-based evaluation without burdening the mobile station with complex decision-making logic, improving accuracy while managing complexity at the network level.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-mode mobile station includes a first interface for wireless communication with a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a second interface for wireless communication with a wireless wide area network (WWAN). The multi-mode mobile station may become engaged in one or more communication sessions via a first wireless network. Session information regarding these one or more communication sessions is stored in a storage system. In response to a handoff request, a control system evaluates the session information to determine which of the communication sessions, if any, can be continued via the second wireless network, in accordance with a policy. The user may be notified of any sessions that can not be continued via the second wireless network and/or continued at a reduced level of performance. If the user opts to complete the handoff, continuable sessions are continued via the second wireless network and non-continuable sessions are dropped.