Position Server Handoff Signaling for Location Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication protocols fail to effectively support location tracking of mobile users when they roam between different administrative domains, particularly due to issues with position determining entities having private non-globally routable network addresses, leading to communication failures and denial of service scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for detecting departure from one administrative domain during a position reporting session, determining if the current position determining entity is inaccessible, and initiating signaling for a handoff to a new position determining entity within a second administrative domain to continue the position reporting session, including identifying a new serving position server and assigning a new position determining entity within the new domain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mobile user roams between different administrative domains during location tracking, then location tracking continuity is disrupted, but maintaining tracking continuity requires complex handoff signaling between domains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a position server as an intermediary entity that manages handoff signaling between position determining entities in different administrative domains. The position server receives handoff requests, identifies suitable target PDEs, and coordinates the handoff process, thereby reducing the signaling complexity that would otherwise need to be handled directly by mobile devices or network elements at the domain boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the location tracking system into distinct functional components: mobile nodes, position determining entities (PDEs), and position servers. Each component has specialized responsibilities, with position servers handling the complex handoff signaling logic. This segmentation allows the handoff complexity to be isolated and managed by dedicated server infrastructure rather than distributed across all system elements.
2Reliability
If position determining entities use private non-globally routable network addresses, then security is improved within administrative domains, but communication fails when mobile users roam to different domains
Solution Approach 1:
The position server acts as a mediator that handles cross-domain communication for entities with private addresses. When a mobile node needs to communicate with a PDE in a different administrative domain, the position server receives the request, resolves the private address to the appropriate domain-specific PDE, and forwards the communication through proper routing. This allows private-addressed PDEs to maintain security within their domains while still enabling cross-domain communication through the server intermediary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an additional communication dimension by having mobile nodes communicate with position servers using public, globally routable addresses, while position determining entities continue to use private addresses within their respective domains. This two-layer addressing structure allows cross-domain communication at the server level while maintaining private addressing security at the PDE level.
3Reliability
If handoff signaling is implemented for administrative domain changes, then service availability is improved, but signaling overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the position server pre-identify and pre-establish connections with potential target position determining entities before handoff is actually needed. When a mobile node approaches a domain boundary or experiences service degradation, the handoff can be executed more quickly because the target PDE has already been identified and preliminary routing arrangements are in place, reducing the actual handoff signaling time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the position server continuously monitors the status and accessibility of position determining entities across domains. This feedback allows the server to proactively initiate handoff signaling before service availability degrades, optimizing the timing of handoff operations to minimize disruption and reduce overall handoff time.
Data Source
AI summary
An approach provides signaling for administrative domain change during location tracking. Departure of a mobile node from a first administrative domain is detected during a position reporting session. It is determined whether a first, configured to determine position, within the first administrative domain is inaccessible. If inaccessible, signaling for a handoff is initiated for assignment of a second, configured to determine position, within a second administrative domain to continue the position reporting session.