Centralized RAT Controller for Multi-Network Traffic Steering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing and integrating multiple Radio Access Technologies (RATs) for optimal resource allocation, load balancing, and traffic steering across heterogeneous networks.

Innovation Solution

A centralized RAT controller system is introduced to coordinate and manage multiple RATs, including cellular and WLAN networks, by collecting measurement information from RAT communication managers to determine traffic steering instructions and optimize resource utilization across different networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a centralized RAT controller system is introduced to coordinate and manage multiple RATs, then network efficiency and resource allocation are improved, but device complexity and system architecture complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork efficiencyVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A centralized RAT controller is introduced as an intermediary component that coordinates between multiple RAT communication managers and the core network. This mediator collects measurement information from various RATs, makes centralized traffic steering decisions, and manages load balancing across heterogeneous networks, thereby improving overall network efficiency while isolating the complexity within a dedicated control entity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The RAT controller is designed as a universal management entity that handles multiple functions including traffic steering, load balancing, measurement collection, and coordination across different RATs (cellular and WLAN). This multi-functional approach consolidates various management tasks into a single system, improving productivity while managing complexity through functional integration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If measurement information is collected from multiple RAT communication managers, then traffic steering accuracy and resource management are improved, but information processing complexity and communication overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic steering accuracyVSAvoidinformation processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Measurement information from multiple RAT communication managers is merged and consolidated at the centralized RAT controller. This combining approach allows comprehensive network state assessment for accurate traffic steering decisions while processing aggregated data rather than handling separate information streams, thereby improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing processing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where measurement information flows from RAT communication managers to the RAT controller, which then generates traffic steering decisions that are fed back to the communication managers. This closed-loop feedback enables accurate and adaptive traffic steering based on real-time network conditions while maintaining structured information flow to manage processing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3100583B1Radio access technology (RAT) controller and method of controlling rat communication managers
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 INTEL IP CORP
  • EP3100583B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3100583B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of controlling Radio Access Technology (RAT) communication managers. For example, a RAT controller may communicate with a plurality of RAT communication managers to receive measurement information from one or more of the RAT communication managers, and, based on the measurement information, to send traffic steering information to at least one RAT communication manager.