Network Access Device Bandwidth Aggregation via Mobile Backhaul Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fixed wireless terminals in residential and office environments face limitations in bandwidth due to their fixed location and inability to adapt to high usage, which restricts broadband performance.

Innovation Solution

A method that utilizes mobile devices connected to the cellular network to share bandwidth with fixed wireless terminals, routing traffic through these devices to enhance the effective bandwidth capability of the network access device, employing a load balancing module to manage traffic distribution between the fixed wireless terminal and mobile devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If fixed wireless terminals are used to provide broadband access, then wireless connectivity is achieved, but bandwidth is limited and degrades under high usage

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebandwidthVSAvoidadaptability to high usage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple network access paths (fixed wireless terminal and mobile devices) into a unified network access device that aggregates bandwidth resources. The load balancing module merges traffic flows from multiple sources to achieve higher total bandwidth while maintaining adaptability to usage conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically routes traffic between different network paths based on current bandwidth availability and usage conditions. The load balancing module continuously monitors and adjusts traffic distribution, making the system adaptive to changing network conditions and high usage scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If fixed wireless terminals remain in one location, then stable connection is maintained, but mobility and flexibility are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidmobility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The network access device serves multiple functions by combining the role of a fixed wireless terminal with mobile device capabilities. It can operate as a fixed terminal for stable connections while also utilizing mobile devices for flexible, mobile access to the same network, making the system universally applicable to both fixed and mobile scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If bandwidth is shared among multiple devices, then overall network capacity increases, but traffic management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidtraffic management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The load balancing module acts as an intermediary between multiple network paths and end devices. It manages traffic distribution, NAT translations, and path selection, thereby increasing network capacity while containing complexity within the intermediary component rather than distributing it across all devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8792345B2Method and apparatus for providing access to public packet networks from a local environment

Publication Date: 2014.07.29 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

One or more mobile devices capable of establishing wireless communication a public packet network independently of a network access device in a local environment is used to provide additional bandwidth for the local environment. Some traffic that would normally be routed over the backhaul connected to the network access device, such as a fixed wireless terminal, is sent to the mobile device and after address translation sent to the public network over the backhaul connection associated with the mobile device.