Multipath Interfaces for Wireless Network Congestion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication networks face challenges in efficiently managing multipath transmissions, particularly in small cell deployments and machine-type communications, where maintaining reliable connections and throughput is hindered by congestion and mobility-related signaling issues, and the integration of 3GPP and WLAN networks with shared IP addresses complicates flow handling.
Innovation Solution
Establishing multiple network interfaces for multipath transmissions, allowing user equipment (UE) to maintain separate flows across different radio interfaces, which can be concurrently used to distribute traffic load and switch seamlessly between interfaces based on performance, reducing the need for explicit flow mobility and alleviating congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple network interfaces are established for multipath transmissions, then network reliability and throughput are improved, but device complexity and flow management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network traffic into multiple independent flows, each assigned to a separate radio interface. The network device establishes multiple network interfaces (first radio interface and second radio interface) that can independently handle different data flows, allowing multipath transmissions while maintaining manageable complexity through structured flow separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The network device acts as an intermediary that receives requests from the access-path network to keep flows separate and coordinates the establishment of multiple interfaces. This intermediary role manages the complexity by centralizing the control logic for interface establishment and flow separation, shielding the user equipment from excessive complexity.
2Productivity
If flows are kept separate across different radio interfaces, then congestion is reduced and throughput is improved, but ease of operation and flow handling become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Traffic is segmented into separate flows that are independently routed through different radio interfaces. Each flow is assigned to a specific interface based on network conditions and requirements, enabling parallel transmission that increases throughput while maintaining operational simplicity through structured flow separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically manages flow assignments to radio interfaces based on changing network conditions. The network device can adaptively adjust which flows use which interface, allowing the system to optimize throughput in real-time while maintaining ease of operation through automated dynamic management rather than manual configuration.
3Reliability
If seamless switching between interfaces is enabled, then network reliability is improved, but device complexity and switching control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple network interfaces are established in advance before switching is needed. The network device proactively sets up both the first and second radio interfaces with their respective flows before any failure or switching event occurs, enabling seamless transition without complex real-time decision-making during critical moments.
Solution Approach 2:
The network device serves as an intermediary that manages the switching logic between interfaces. By centralizing the switching control in the network device rather than requiring complex local decisions at the user equipment, the system achieves reliable seamless switching while keeping device complexity manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for multipath interfaces are provided. One method includes establishing, by a user equipment, multiple network interfaces for multipath transmissions, wherein the multiple interfaces comprise a first radio interface and a second radio interface. The method also includes receiving a request from an access-path network to keep flows of the first radio interface and the second radio interface separate.