Infrastructure-Assisted Network Handover Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in reliably transitioning multi-mode devices between WLAN and cellular networks, affecting communication quality due to inadequate handover mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An infrastructure-assisted network transition scheme is implemented, where a management server generates and communicates handover threshold data to multi-mode devices, helping them determine optimal times for hand-in and hand-out transitions based on signal strength and network configuration information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-mode device autonomously decides when to transition between WLAN and cellular networks, then the device maintains flexibility in network selection, but the transition reliability and communication quality deteriorate due to inadequate handover mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network infrastructure component (access point or network controller) as an intermediary that assists the multi-mode device in making handover decisions. The infrastructure provides signal strength information, threshold data, and transition recommendations, enabling the device to make more reliable network transition decisions while maintaining adaptability. This mediator resolves the contradiction by providing external guidance without removing the device's autonomous decision-making capability.
2Ease of operation
If the device uses simple signal strength thresholds for handover decisions, then the decision process is simple and fast, but the communication quality deteriorates due to inadequate consideration of network conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters used for handover decisions from simple signal strength thresholds to multiple parameters including signal strength, network type, user mobility state, and application requirements. The system dynamically adjusts these parameters based on current network conditions and device state, maintaining simple decision logic while improving communication quality through more comprehensive parameter consideration.
3Reliability
If the device frequently monitors network conditions for optimal handover timing, then the transition reliability improves, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring of network conditions at strategically determined intervals rather than continuous monitoring. The monitoring frequency is adjusted based on user mobility state, network conditions, and application requirements. This periodic approach maintains transition reliability by monitoring at critical moments while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
4Loss of time
If the handover decision is made quickly based on limited information, then the response time is fast, but the measurement precision of network conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring handover thresholds, network preference settings, and decision parameters before actual handover events occur. The system prepares decision-making frameworks and gathers baseline network information in advance, enabling fast handover responses without sacrificing measurement precision. This preliminary preparation allows the device to make rapid decisions based on pre-processed information rather than requiring complete real-time analysis.
Data Source
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AI summary
An infrastructure assisted network transition scheme is provided. In a multi-mode wireless communication device, handover threshold data is received from a management server associated with a first wireless network comprising one or more wireless access points. The multi-mode wireless communication device receives signals from the one or more wireless access point devices of the first wireless network and generates data representing the received signals. The multi-mode wireless communication device analyzes the data representing the received signals with respect to the handover threshold data to determine when the multi-mode wireless communication device should initiate hand-in to the first wireless network and when to initiate hand-out from the first wireless network to the second wireless network. Functions are provided at the management server to enable the generation of the handover threshold data from network configuration information associated with the first wireless network.