Policy-Based Routing for Multi-Mode Wireless Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-mode wireless communication devices face challenges in optimizing communications across different network modes due to varying bandwidth, cost, and quality of service requirements, necessitating a mechanism to dynamically configure connections and routes based on real-time conditions.
Innovation Solution
A policy-based mechanism using a rules engine evaluates state changes and configures routing tables and connections to optimize communications across WLAN, WMAN, and WWAN networks, considering factors like radio access technology, bandwidth, cost, time, location, and quality of service, ensuring efficient data routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-mode device uses multiple radio access technologies (WLAN, WMAN, WWAN) for communications, then the adaptability and versatility of the device is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need to manage multiple networks and routing decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rules engine as an intermediary component that manages routing decisions between multiple radio access technologies. The rules engine evaluates policies and state changes to determine optimal network selection, thereby reducing the complexity burden on the overall system while maintaining high adaptability across WLAN, WMAN, and WWAN networks
Solution Approach 2:
The routing management function is segmented into distinct components: a rules engine for policy evaluation, a state change detector for monitoring network conditions, and a routing table for storing network configurations. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific tasks independently, reducing overall system complexity while preserving multi-network adaptability
2Productivity
If the device dynamically re-selects radio access technologies based on real-time conditions, then the quality of service and communication efficiency are improved, but the loss of time for evaluation and re-selection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring routing tables with multiple network options and pre-establishing quality of service parameters for different radio access technologies. When a state change occurs, the rules engine can quickly evaluate against pre-prepared policies rather than making decisions from scratch, reducing re-selection time while maintaining high communication efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the state change detector continuously monitors network conditions and provides real-time information to the rules engine. This feedback loop enables the system to make informed routing decisions based on current network states, optimizing communication efficiency while minimizing the time required for re-selection through continuous awareness of network conditions
3Reliability
If the device optimizes communications by selecting specific networks for different applications, then the quality of service is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for policy management and routing optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The rules engine serves as a universal component that handles policy management for all applications across multiple radio access technologies. Rather than implementing separate policy management systems for each application or network type, the single rules engine evaluates policies universally, ensuring consistent quality of service while reducing the complexity of managing multiple separate policy systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes quality of service by dynamically changing routing parameters based on application requirements and network conditions. The rules engine adjusts routing table entries and network selection parameters in response to state changes, allowing the same infrastructure to serve multiple applications with different QoS requirements without proportionally increasing policy management complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Communication devices capable of at least two communication modes (e.g. WLAN, WMAN and WWAN and/or wired modes) can be configured to optimize communications using a policy-based mechanism to configure connections and routes. A rules engine evaluates its policies on a state change (e.g. network availability, time of day, etc.) to configure a routing table and, together with communication APIs, provides an appropriate connection to an application for its respective communications. Policies may be responsive to various factors such as Radio Access Technology (high/low bandwidth), cost, presence, time of day, location, application type and quality of service (QoS) requirements among others to optimize communications.