Wireless Network Selection Policy Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless access network selection mechanisms are inadequate for global connectivity solutions, as they fail to efficiently manage the selection of multiple networks with varying properties and performance characteristics, especially in scenarios where networks frequently appear, disappear, or change, leading to challenges in roaming and network attachment.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that collect data on wireless access networks, derive client device network selection policies based on geographic coverage and performance, and send these policies to client devices to dynamically select and attach to the most suitable networks, considering factors like bitrate, latency, and pricing, allowing for simultaneous attachment to multiple networks for connectivity aggregation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional PLMN selection mechanisms are used, then network selection is simple and device complexity is low, but the system cannot efficiently manage multiple networks with varying properties and performance characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a policy server as an intermediary that collects network data, derives selection policies, and distributes them to client devices. This mediator handles the complexity of managing multiple networks with varying properties, allowing client devices to use simple policy-based selection without directly dealing with the complexity of network management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network selection function into two parts: a policy server that handles data collection, policy derivation, and distribution, and client devices that execute the derived policies. This segmentation allows the complex tasks to be performed by the server while keeping device complexity low.
2Adaptability or versatility
If global connectivity solutions are implemented to allow access to any PLMN or wireless access network, then network flexibility and coverage are improved, but the challenge of network selection increases due to the high number of available networks and varying properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables client devices to autonomously select networks by providing them with derived selection policies that contain all necessary criteria and measurements. The devices self-service their network selection needs without requiring user intervention or complex manual configuration, making global connectivity easy to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters used for network selection from traditional static PLMN priorities to dynamic policies derived from collected network data, including performance metrics, geographic coverage, and access technology characteristics. This allows the system to adapt to varying network conditions and properties across different regions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If networks frequently appear, disappear, or change their properties and performance characteristics, then network dynamics and adaptability are improved, but traditional selection mechanisms become inappropriate and less reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the policy server continuously collects network data, monitors changes in network properties and performance characteristics, and re-derives selection policies based on current conditions. This feedback loop ensures that client devices receive updated policies that reflect the current network state, maintaining reliable selection despite frequent network changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the network selection system dynamic by enabling policies to be updated in response to changing network conditions. The policy server can re-derive and redistribute policies as networks appear, disappear, or change their characteristics, allowing the system to adapt dynamically while maintaining selection reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method of enabling wireless access network selection at a multiplicity of wireless client devices. The method comprises: for each of a plurality of wireless access networks, collecting data indicative of at least wireless access technology, geographic coverage and performance; storing said data in a database available to a server; deriving, at the server, a client device network selection policy from the data, the policy defining network measurements to be carried out by a client device and criteria to be used by the client device to select one or more wireless networks; sending the network selection policy to a wireless client device; and applying the network selection policy at the wireless client device to select and attach to one or more given wireless access networks, performing one or more of said network measurements on the given wireless access network(s) and using the results to make a determination to remain attached to the given wireless access network(s) or to select and attach to a further wireless access network or networks.