Network Migration Mechanism for Load Balancing Between 3GPP and Non-3GPP Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile communication systems lack an effective mechanism for proper migration of user equipment (UE) between WiFi and LTE networks, leading to capacity saturation and inability to support normal communication due to increased load pressure on WLANs.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus where a base station sends information to user equipment to migrate from one network to another, either by stopping service transmission or disabling receivers, based on load information, access point details, and user equipment identifiers, to optimize network usage and prevent overload.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If user equipment accesses WLAN for high transmission rate, then transmission speed is improved, but network load increases causing capacity saturation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission rateVSAvoidnetwork load
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic network selection and migration mechanisms where UE continuously monitors network conditions (load, signal quality) and automatically switches between WLAN and 3GPP networks. The network side sends migration indication information to guide UE migration decisions, creating a dynamic adaptation system that responds to changing network conditions rather than static network attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes network parameters (load conditions, signal strength, migration indications) to trigger UE migration between networks. When WLAN load exceeds thresholds or 3GPP network becomes available with better conditions, the system modifies these parameters to initiate migration, allowing the network to adapt its state based on current conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If more user equipment connects to WLAN, then service coverage is improved, but communication reliability deteriorates due to overload

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice coverageVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network side continuously monitors WLAN load conditions and provides feedback to UE through migration indication information. When load exceeds capacity thresholds, the network sends migration indications prompting UE to switch to 3GPP networks. This feedback loop maintains reliability by preventing overload while preserving service coverage through alternative network access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The network side acts as an intermediary that coordinates UE migration decisions. Rather than UE making autonomous decisions that could lead to conflicting actions, the network mediates by sending migration indication information that guides UE migration timing and targets, ensuring coordinated load distribution across networks while maintaining service continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If user equipment migrates between networks, then load distribution is improved, but migration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload distributionVSAvoidmigration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs self-service migration by autonomously monitoring network conditions, evaluating migration criteria (signal quality, load), and executing migration decisions without extensive manual configuration. The simplified migration indication information from the network provides just enough guidance for UE to self-manage the migration process, reducing overall system complexity while achieving load distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2916589B1Migration method and device
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2916589B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2916589B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP2916589B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

The present invention discloses a migration method and an apparatus, which relate to the field of communications technologies and are invented for implementation of proper configuration of different network resources. The method includes: sending, by a base station of a first network, information to a user equipment, where the information is used for: migrating, by the user equipment, from a second network to the first network, where the user equipment is in an idle state relative to the first network; or determining, by the user equipment, whether to migrate from the first network to the second network, where the first network is a 3GPP network, and the second network is a non-3GPP network. The present invention is mainly applied to a process of network migration of the user equipment.