Mobile Terminal Interface Information Transmission for Packet Forwarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current centrally controlled network architectures, such as OpenFlow, do not effectively control mobile communication terminals and cannot comprehend the characteristics or status of different radio access technologies (RATs) used by these terminals, limiting their ability to optimize packet processing.
Innovation Solution
A mobile communication terminal equipped with multiple communication interfaces for various radio access networks, which transmits interface information to a control apparatus when no processing rule exists, requests a processing rule, and receives instructions to forward packets accordingly, allowing the control apparatus to centrally manage packet forwarding based on the characteristics of each interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a control apparatus is designed to control packet forwarding in a centrally controlled network architecture, then packet forwarding can be optimized based on flow-based rules, but the control apparatus cannot comprehend characteristics or status of different radio access technologies used by mobile communication terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an interface information transmission mechanism as an intermediary between the mobile communication terminal and the control apparatus. When the terminal encounters a packet it cannot process (no matching flow rule), it transmits interface information (including RAT characteristics and status) to the control apparatus, which then determines appropriate processing rules based on this information. This intermediary information exchange enables the control apparatus to make informed decisions about packet forwarding while considering terminal-specific interface characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile communication terminal with multiple communication interfaces for different radio access networks is used, then communication versatility is improved, but the complexity of managing packet processing across different interfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the mobile communication terminal autonomously determines when it cannot process a packet (by checking its flow table) and automatically transmits the necessary interface information and packet details to the control apparatus. The terminal serves itself by identifying its own processing limitations and requesting assistance, rather than requiring complex centralized management of all terminal operations. This reduces the burden on the control apparatus while maintaining multi-RAT versatility.
3Productivity
If the control apparatus determines processing rules based on interface information transmitted by the terminal, then packet forwarding optimization is improved, but the communication overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the mobile communication terminal pre-transmit interface information to the control apparatus before packet forwarding decisions are critically needed. The terminal maintains a flow table with pre-established rules and only contacts the control apparatus when genuinely stuck (no matching rule). This preliminary setup of interface information availability reduces the time penalty, as the control apparatus receives contextual information in advance rather than having to request it during time-critical packet processing moments.
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication system comprises: a control apparatus that controls packet forwarding; and a mobile communication terminal that communicates with a network including the control apparatus, wherein the mobile communication terminal comprises: a plurality of communication interfaces for wireless communication; a processing means that processes a packet in accordance with an instruction from the control apparatus; and a control means that transmits to the network interface information that is information related to the plurality of communication interfaces to notify the control apparatus of the interface information. A control apparatus can control a mobile communication terminal, giving consideration to characteristics or status of access schemes corresponding to respective RATs possessed by the mobile communication terminal.