Network Access Entity Dynamic Data Flow Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing communication network architectures, such as those described in Patent Application Publication US2016/0174107 A1 and WO 2016/195546 A1, face challenges in maintaining high link quality for user equipment due to the dependency on the quality of the wireless local area network provided by the home gateway, which can lead to decreased communication link quality when the network spanned by the home gateway causes issues.
Innovation Solution
A network access entity with a data flow manager that receives status signals indicating link qualities of multiple communication links and dynamically adjusts data distribution across these links to optimize data stream communication, ensuring higher data rates over better-quality links and reducing data transmission on lower-quality links, thereby forming a composite communication link with improved overall quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If user equipment connects via home gateway through wireless local area network, then connectivity is provided, but link quality decreases when WLAN causes problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data stream into multiple independent data flows that can be transmitted over different communication links (direct UE-NAE link and composite home gateway-NAE link). This segmentation allows the system to bypass the home gateway when the WLAN link quality is poor, thereby resolving the contradiction between providing connectivity through the gateway and maintaining high link quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the routing parameters (data flow distribution ratios) based on measured link qualities. When the WLAN link quality deteriorates, the system adjusts the parameter to route more data through the direct UE-NAE link, thus maintaining overall link quality while still utilizing the home gateway path when conditions are favorable.
2Ease of operation
If data is transmitted through home gateway, then access is provided, but communication link quality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The network access entity acts as an intermediary that receives status signals from both the home gateway and user equipment, measures link qualities, and dynamically adjusts data flow distribution. This intermediary function allows the system to maintain ease of operation (automatic access provision) while ensuring high communication link quality by routing data through the optimal path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic data flow management where the network access entity continuously adjusts the distribution of data streams between the direct and composite links based on real-time link quality measurements. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by automatically optimizing the path selection to maintain high communication quality while providing seamless access.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication links are used, then data distribution flexibility increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network access entity is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a direct communication partner for user equipment and as a routing controller that manages multiple communication paths. This universal design provides data distribution flexibility across different link types while consolidating control functions to manage system complexity centrally at the NAE.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a network access entity 200 for providing access to a communication network for a user equipment 303 and a home gateway 302. The home gateway 302 is connected to the network access entity 200 via a first communication link 304. The user equipment 303 is connected to the network access entity 200 via a second communication link 305 and is connected to the home gateway 302 via a third communication link 306. The first communication link 304 and the third communication link 306 form a composite communication link. The network access entity 200 comprises a network interface 202. The network interface 202 is configured to receive a first status signal indicating a link quality of the first communication link 304, a second status signal indicating a link quality of the second communication link 305, and a third status signal indicating a link quality of the composite communication link. The network access entity 200 comprises a data flow manager 201 for distributing data of a data stream towards the user equipment 303 via the first communication link 304 and via the second communication link 305, wherein the data flow manager 201 is configured to determine a reduction of an amount of data of the data stream communicated over the first communication link 304 and to determine an increase of an amount of data of the data stream communicated over the second communication link 305, if at least one of the first status signal or the second status signal indicates a higher link quality than a link quality that is indicated by the third status signal. The invention further relates to a communication system, a method and a computer program product. [Fig. 3]