Network Access Wizard for Vehicular IP Multi-Access Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-access communication systems face complexity in access selection, particularly in vehicular scenarios, where fast and optimal access choices are needed to maintain connectivity and avoid session losses due to changing network conditions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a network-based access selection mechanism using an access wizard unit that communicates with a profile server to collect and analyze various factors such as access network properties, operator policies, and terminal-specific information to recommend the best access network, which can handle complex situations and large data quantities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional access selection methods are used where the end user or terminal makes active decisions, then the user has control over access selection, but the complexity of analyzing complex access situations and obtaining all needed information becomes burdensome for the user/terminal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an access selection server as an intermediary between the terminal and multiple access networks. This server collects information from various sources including network operators, terminals, and application servers, processes this information centrally, and provides access recommendations to terminals. This mediator handles the complex analysis work that would otherwise burden the terminal or user, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
2Speed
If the terminal collects and analyzes all access information locally, then the selection can be made quickly at the terminal, but the terminal requires significant processing power and information gathering capability
Solution Approach 1:
The access selection server acts as a centralized processing intermediary that collects information from multiple sources including network operators, terminals, and application servers. This server performs the complex analysis and evaluation of different access options, then provides recommendations to the terminal. This approach maintains fast selection response times while significantly reducing the processing burden on the terminal device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts the processing dimension from the terminal level to the network level by introducing a dedicated access selection server. This dimensional change allows complex multi-factor analysis (including network conditions, user preferences, application requirements, and cost considerations) to be performed centrally with sufficient computational resources, while the terminal only needs to communicate selection criteria and receive recommendations, maintaining speed while reducing terminal complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple access networks are available, then the system provides flexibility and choice, but the number of decisions and considerations increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The access selection server serves as a centralized intermediary that receives information about multiple available access networks from various sources including network operators and terminals. It evaluates all available options against multiple criteria (network conditions, user preferences, application requirements, cost) and provides a single recommended access selection. This mediator handles the complexity of multiple access decisions, allowing the system to maintain flexibility with multiple networks while reducing the decision burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The access selection server provides a universal decision-making function that handles multiple access networks, different user preferences, various application requirements, and diverse network conditions through a single integrated system. This multi-functional server consolidates what would otherwise be multiple separate decision processes, managing the complexity of network flexibility while simplifying the user experience.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for selecting the best access for terminals (210) in IP-based multi-access communication systems (200) is provided. The access selection is performed on the network side by an access wizard (261) that communicates with a profile server (262) associated with a number of databases (263). Via the profile server, the access wizard collects database information related to user, terminal, access networks and/or operator. It determines a “best” access network based on this information and preferably also on terminal specific information, e.g. terminal location and available access networks, from an access wizard agent (213) in the terminal. The best access is signaled from the access wizard, via the access wizard agent, and to an access manager (214) in the terminal, which has means for executing the actions necessary to use the best access.