Pre-emptive Access Network Switching Controller

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless network systems experience service disruptions and performance degradation when a mobile terminal moves into an area where the current access network loses coverage or becomes congested, leading to delays in switching to an alternative network, resulting in lost connectivity and communication interruptions.

Innovation Solution

An access network connection controller, known as Pre-emptive Access Network Switch (PANS), monitors the terminal's movement and predicts when it will enter a restricted area, proactively switching the connection to an alternative access network before entering the area, using movement information and network policies to ensure seamless communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mobile terminal waits until it detects loss of coverage or congestion before switching networks, then the switching decision is based on actual network conditions, but communication disruptions and service interruptions occur during the transition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication continuityVSAvoidservice disruption time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by proactively switching the mobile terminal to an alternative access network before the current network becomes unavailable or congested. The network controller predicts potential service degradation based on mobility patterns and network conditions, triggering a pre-emptive handover that maintains communication continuity and eliminates service disruption time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the system implements real-time monitoring and pre-emptive switching, then communication continuity is maintained, but system complexity and computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidnetwork controller complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network controller acts as an intermediary between the mobile terminal and multiple access networks. It centralizes the complexity of monitoring mobility patterns, predicting service degradation, and making switching decisions, thereby simplifying the mobile terminal's functionality while maintaining reliable connection through coordinated network-side management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If the mobile terminal autonomously selects access networks based on available information, then switching decisions are made quickly, but the accuracy of switching timing and network selection is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching decision speedVSAvoidswitching timing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the network controller continuously monitors mobility patterns, network conditions, and switching outcomes. This feedback enables the controller to refine predictions of service degradation and optimize switching timing, improving both the accuracy of switching decisions and the overall reliability of connection maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2586248B1Pre-emptive access network switching
Publication Date: 2014.03.12 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2586248B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2586248B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2586248B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An access network connection controller is disclosed for ordering a mobile terminal to switch from a connection to a first access network to a connection to a second access network in order to ensure that a good connection to the mobile terminal is maintained when the mobile terminal enters an area in which connection to the first access network may be restricted and the second access network may be beneficial. The access network connection controller is operable to receive movement information representative of the movement of the mobile terminal connected to a first access network; to determine from the movement information whether the mobile terminal is approaching a restricted area wherein connection to a second access network may be beneficial and to generate a command ordering the switching of the connection mobile terminal from the first access network to the second access network before the mobile terminal enters the restricted area. By ordering a mobile terminal to switch its connection to another access network in advance of the mobile terminal entering an area in which connection to the mobile terminal from its current access network may be restricted, good connection to the mobile terminal is ensured at all times and the user of the mobile terminal does not experience any degradation in performance.