Radio Link Controller for Heterogeneous Wireless Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in forming and managing radio links between user equipment and core networks using different radio protocols, which hinders efficient communication and mobility management across diverse wireless networks.

Innovation Solution

A method and wireless node that transmit function structure type information for mobility management via a first radio interface, establish a radio link using a second radio protocol, and perform mobility management through a non-access stratum protocol, enabling communication and connection management across different radio interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a radio link is formed between user equipment and core network using different radio protocols, then communication across heterogeneous wireless networks is enabled, but the complexity of managing multiple radio interfaces and protocols increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication across heterogeneous wireless networksVSAvoidmanaging multiple radio interfaces and protocols

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a radio link controller as an intermediary component that manages radio links between user equipment and core network through different radio protocols. This controller abstracts the complexity of multiple protocols by providing a unified interface for radio link formation, maintenance, and release, thereby enabling heterogeneous network communication without directly burdening the user equipment with protocol management complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the radio access network into distinct functional components, including user equipment, radio link controller, and core network elements. By dividing the system into manageable segments with defined interfaces, each component can handle specific protocol requirements independently, reducing the overall complexity of managing multiple radio interfaces while maintaining adaptability across different wireless networks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If mobility management functions are performed through non-access stratum protocol, then efficient mobility management across different radio interfaces is achieved, but the protocol complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility management efficiencyVSAvoidprotocol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal non-access stratum protocol that performs multiple mobility management functions across different radio interfaces. This protocol is designed to handle various mobility scenarios (handover, routing area update, tracking area update) through a unified mechanism, thereby achieving efficient mobility management without requiring separate protocol implementations for each interface type

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The non-access stratum protocol acts as an intermediary layer between the access stratum (radio-specific protocols) and higher-layer network functions. This intermediary protocol abstracts radio interface specifics and provides a standardized interface for mobility management, improving efficiency by eliminating the need for multiple protocol stacks while managing complexity through protocol layering

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If radio link formation and release procedures are standardized across different radio protocols, then interoperability is improved, but the flexibility to optimize for specific protocols is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinteroperabilityVSAvoidprotocol optimization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing radio link formation and release procedures to be standardized at the abstract level while permitting protocol-specific optimizations at the implementation level. The radio link controller can select and apply optimized procedures based on the specific radio protocol being used, ensuring both interoperability through standardization and performance optimization through protocol-specific adaptations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9974107B2Radio node communicating with terminal in communication environment supporting plurality of radio networks, and radio communication method

Publication Date: 2018.05.15 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

The present invention relates to radio communications between a terminal, a radio node and a core network in a radio communication system. A radio node, which can form a radio link to a terminal through a first radio interface by a first radio protocol and a second radio interface by a second radio protocol, may transmit, to the terminal, function structure type information about a mobility management-related function which can be performed through the first radio interface by the first radio protocol, form a radio link to the terminal through the second radio interface by the second radio protocol, establish a connection between the terminal and a core network by a non-access stratum (NAS) protocol if the terminal requests a connection between the terminal and the core network through the second radio interface, release the radio link, and perform the mobility management-related function through the second radio interface by communicating with the terminal.