Radio Interface Selection for Wireless Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication technologies face challenges in selecting the most appropriate radio interface for applications, often resulting in suboptimal performance due to the inability to distinguish between locally-addressable and globally-addressable wireless networks, leading to data transmission failures when a locally-addressable network is used for applications requiring external connectivity.
Innovation Solution
A terminal identifies and prioritizes radio interfaces based on the availability of locally-addressable and globally-addressable wireless networks, adjusting the priority of WLAN interfaces accordingly to select the most suitable interface for the application, ensuring data can be sent outside the network when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a terminal connects to a locally-addressable wireless network (ad hoc network) for communication, then the terminal can establish a wireless connection quickly and locally, but data transmission outside the network fails because the network cannot route data externally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless network selection process into two distinct categories: locally-addressable networks (ad hoc) and globally-addressable networks (infrastructure). The terminal evaluates application requirements against these segments, selecting locally-addressable networks for applications that only need local communication and globally-addressable networks for applications requiring external connectivity. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by matching network type to application needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different applications to have different radio interface preferences based on their specific needs. Some applications may prefer locally-addressable networks for security or performance reasons, while others require globally-addressable networks. The system tailors the network selection to each application's local requirements rather than applying a uniform network type across all applications.
2Productivity
If a terminal prioritizes WLAN interface for all applications, then WLAN performance is optimized for preferred applications, but applications requiring external connectivity may fail when connected to locally-addressable networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic radio interface priority adjustment based on application requirements and network availability. Instead of static prioritization, the system dynamically modifies WLAN interface priority: maintaining high priority when globally-addressable networks are available and the application requires external connectivity, and adjusting priority when locally-addressable networks are the only option or when the application only needs local communication. This dynamics principle resolves the contradiction by adapting priority settings to current conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the priority parameter of the WLAN interface based on network type detection and application requirements. When a globally-addressable WLAN is available and an application needs external connectivity, the WLAN priority is set to high. When only locally-addressable networks are available or the application doesn't require external access, the priority is adjusted accordingly. This parameter change ensures both WLAN performance optimization and transmission reliability.
3Ease of operation
If a terminal uses a simplified radio interface selection method, then the selection process is fast and simple, but the terminal cannot distinguish between locally-addressable and globally-addressable networks leading to transmission failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the terminal detect and classify the type of wireless network (locally-addressable vs. globally-addressable) before an application attempts data transmission. The system proactively evaluates network capabilities and matches them to application requirements in advance, preventing transmission failures before they occur. This preliminary classification maintains simplicity while ensuring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring network availability and application requirements, then adjusting radio interface priority settings accordingly. The system receives feedback about which networks are available (locally vs. globally addressable) and which applications are active, and uses this feedback to dynamically optimize interface selection. This feedback loop maintains both simplicity and reliability in the selection process.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for selecting a radio interface for an application are described. A terminal identifies locally-addressable and globally-addressable wireless networks among wireless networks available to the terminal. Radio interfaces supported by the terminal may be prioritized based on the locally-addressable and globally-addressable wireless networks, information obtained for the application, the application type, etc. Different applications may have different radio interface preferences or requirements, which may be considered in prioritizing the radio interfaces. A suitable radio interface may be selected for the application based on the prioritized radio interfaces. WLAN interface may be selected for the application if (a) the WLAN interface is preferred and any WLAN is acceptable to the application or (b) a globally-addressable WLAN is available. A WLAN interface may be selected for the application if a globally-addressable WLAN is not available.