Network Entity for Dynamic Wi-Fi Access Point Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for integrating wireless access networks into radio access networks (RANs) lack support for dynamic network load adjustments and optimal access point selection, leading to delays and inefficient resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for dynamically selecting and transmitting wireless access point information to user equipment (UE) based on real-time network information, including RAN and wireless network resources, to optimize access and reduce delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If Wi-Fi access points are integrated into mobile networks, then network offloading and user experience are improved, but network complexity and resource management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network entity acting as an intermediary that receives network information from multiple sources (RAN, core network, wireless network) and processes it to generate AP selection information. This intermediary component simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the complex integration logic, thereby improving network offloading capability while managing integration complexity through modular design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all wireless access point information is transmitted to UE, then access flexibility is improved, but information transmission overhead and processing burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential and relevant AP selection information from the complete set of available network information. The network entity processes comprehensive network data and extracts only the necessary elements (such as AP identifiers, signal quality metrics, and load information) that are needed for UE to make informed access decisions, thereby maintaining access flexibility while significantly reducing information transmission overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides customized AP selection information tailored to specific UE contexts and local network conditions. Rather than transmitting uniform information to all UEs, the system adapts the information content based on individual UE requirements and local network state, optimizing the balance between access flexibility and information volume through context-aware information delivery.
3Reliability
If dynamic network information is collected and processed, then access optimization is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary processing of network information by the network entity, which continuously collects and pre-processes network data from multiple sources before UE requests are made. This advance preparation ensures that when UEs need AP selection information, the network entity can quickly retrieve and deliver pre-analyzed data, thereby maintaining high selection accuracy while minimizing real-time processing delays.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatus are provided for operating a network entity (215) in a communications network (200). The communications network (200) includes a radio access network (202) including a base station (208) serving a user equipment (210a), and a wireless network (204) including wireless access points (212a-212c). A set of available wireless access points (212a-212b) are selected from the wireless access points (212a-212c) based on network information associated with radio access network resources, core network part resources, and/or wireless network resources. Wireless access point information associated with the characteristics of the set of available wireless access points (212a-212b) is generated for use by the user equipment (210a) to access the available wireless access points (212a-212b). The network entity (215) transmits the wireless access point information via base station (208) to the user equipment (210a). The wireless access point information may include rules or conditions for use by the user equipment (210a) in determining an available wireless access point (212a) to access.