Radio Node Mobility Control via Application Awareness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for integrating Wi-Fi into 3GPP networks do not provide adequate support for network-controlled Wi-Fi/3GPP access selection and service mapping, particularly considering radio access-related parameters such as UE mobility, cell and network load, and radio link performance, leading to reduced performance when moving between different access networks.

Innovation Solution

A mechanism is introduced to enhance mobility performance between access networks by collecting information on ongoing applications or services that support application or service mobility, allowing for informed decisions on initiating or allowing mobility processes between 3GPP and Wi-Fi networks based on this information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If Wi-Fi integration into 3GPP networks is implemented using current methods, then network connectivity is provided, but performance deteriorates during mobility between access networks due to inadequate support for network-controlled access selection and service mapping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidmobility performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The network node collects information about ongoing applications and their mobility support capabilities before making handover decisions. This preliminary gathering of application-level mobility information enables the network to proactively assess whether mobility is feasible, rather than reacting after service disruption occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the network node retrieves information about application mobility support and uses this information to adjust mobility decisions. The network continuously monitors application states and adjusts handover control accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to application requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If network-controlled access selection is implemented without considering application mobility support, then mobility decisions are simplified, but service continuity deteriorates due to inadequate consideration of application requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobility decision simplicityVSAvoidapplication service continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network node collects information about ongoing applications and their mobility support capabilities before making handover decisions. This preliminary gathering of application-level mobility information enables the network to proactively assess whether mobility is feasible, rather than reacting after service disruption occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the decision parameters by incorporating application-level mobility support information into the network-controlled access selection process. Instead of relying solely on radio access parameters, the system now considers application-specific mobility capabilities, transforming the decision-making basis from purely network-centric to application-aware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Extent of automation

If mobility processes are controlled based on radio access parameters only, then network control is maintained, but application service quality deteriorates due to lack of application-aware mobility management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork control capabilityVSAvoidapplication service quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network node collects information about ongoing applications and their mobility support capabilities before making handover decisions. This preliminary gathering of application-level mobility information enables the network to proactively assess whether mobility is feasible, rather than reacting after service disruption occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the network node retrieves information about application mobility support and uses this information to adjust mobility decisions. The network continuously monitors application states and adjusts handover control accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to application requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2944118B1Vertical hand over scenarios considering application mobility
Publication Date: 2019.06.05 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2944118B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2944118B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2944118B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments herein relate to a method in a radio node (110, 210, 220, 601, 602) for handling mobility, between a first access network and a second access network, of a wireless terminal (120,121,701). The radio node collects information of an on-going application or service for the wireless terminal (120,121,701); and retrieves information whether the on-going application or service supports application or service mobility. The radio node then decides to initiate or allow a mobility process, between the first access network and the second access network, of the wireless terminal (120,121,701) based on retrieved information.