Network Management Entity Sub-Network Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication network infrastructures face challenges in managing energy consumption and reliability, especially with the increasing number of devices capable of communication via mobile phone and WLAN networks, including 'intelligent' devices like sensors and cameras, which strain existing mobile network resources.
Innovation Solution
The method involves a management entity that dynamically switches between a first sub-network, such as a WLAN base station, and a second sub-network, like a mobile radio base station, using network slicing to ensure continuous communication access by providing and operating a second sub-network when the first base station experiences a status change, such as failure or deactivation, thereby enabling energy savings and fail-safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single base station is used for communication, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates when the base station fails or is deactivated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple base stations (WLAN base station and mobile radio base station) into a unified communication system managed by a single management entity. This merging allows the system to maintain communication reliability by switching between base stations while presenting a unified interface to communication terminals, thus improving reliability without significantly increasing perceived device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The management entity is designed to perform multiple functions: managing both WLAN and mobile radio base stations, handling terminal connections, and performing seamless switching between different base station types. This multi-functionality allows a single system to provide reliable communication across different network types without requiring separate management systems for each base station type.
2Reliability
If multiple base stations are deployed for redundancy, then reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases due to continuous operation of backup systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic base station management where the system actively monitors the status of base stations and dynamically switches between them based on real-time conditions. The management entity can activate or deactivate base stations as needed, ensuring that backup systems consume minimal energy when not in use while maintaining the ability to provide immediate support when the primary base station fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The management entity autonomously monitors base station status and performs switching operations without requiring manual intervention. The system automatically detects when a base station is deactivated or fails and independently activates the appropriate backup base station, reducing the need for continuous monitoring and manual management of multiple base stations while maintaining reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If network slicing is implemented for dynamic switching, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional management infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements network slicing by dividing the communication network into separate logical sub-networks (WLAN sub-network and mobile radio sub-network), each managed independently by the management entity. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to different communication requirements and switch between network types based on conditions, while each slice maintains its own management protocols and characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The management entity serves as an intermediary between communication terminals and multiple base stations of different types. It abstracts the complexity of managing multiple network types from the terminals, providing a unified interface while handling the complex switching and routing decisions internally. This intermediary approach enables network adaptability without requiring terminals to understand or manage the underlying complexity.
4Reliability
If seamless switching between base stations is implemented, then reliability is improved, but loss of time occurs during the switching transition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the management entity pre-establish connections and prepare backup base stations before switching is needed. The system maintains ready-state connections with potential backup base stations and pre-configures routing paths, so that when switching is required, the transition can occur with minimal interruption as the infrastructure is already prepared to take over immediately.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for communicating via a communication network (200), comprising a first base station (201), a second base station (218), and a communication terminal (203a-c). The method has the steps of providing and operating a first sub-network (213) of the communication network (200) by means of a management entity (211), wherein during the operation of the first sub-network (213) of the communication network (200), the first base station (201) is assigned to the first sub-network (213) and is designed to allow the communication terminal (203a-c) to communicate via the first sub-network (213) of the communication network (200), and providing and operating a second sub-network (217) of the communication network (200) by means of the management entity (211) in response to a change in state of the first base station (201). During the operation of the second sub-network (217) of the communication network (200), the second base station (218) is assigned to the second sub-network (217) and is designed to allow the communication terminal (203a-c) to communicate via the second sub-network (217) of the communication network (200).