Cellular Router Load Balancing via Dynamic Subscription Quota Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for load balancing between multiple mobile broadband subscriptions in a routing apparatus are costly and complex, as they require dual or multiple transceivers, which are not suitable for scenarios where multiple users with different subscriptions need simultaneous internet connections.
Innovation Solution
A method for load balancing between multiple subscriptions in a routing apparatus, where each subscription has a dedicated connection and a data usage quota, involves receiving network traffic, determining the associated subscription, updating the quota, and deciding whether to continue using the current connection or switch to another subscription based on the updated quota, thereby efficiently managing resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dual or multiple transceivers are used to support multiple subscriptions simultaneously, then simultaneous internet connections for multiple users are enabled, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple transceiver functions into a single transceiver by implementing a subscription management mechanism that dynamically switches and shares the transceiver resource across multiple subscriptions. The router maintains multiple subscriptions (SIM cards) and uses a control unit to manage transceiver allocation, allowing one transceiver to serve multiple subscriptions sequentially through time-division multiplexing and subscription switching protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The single transceiver is designed to be universal and multi-functional, capable of operating with multiple different subscriptions. The transceiver implements multiple identity modules (SIMs) and can be dynamically configured to work with different network operators and subscription profiles, making it a universal interface that replaces the need for dedicated transceivers for each subscription.
2Reliability
If separate network modems are used for each user, then each user has dedicated connection capability, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple modem functions into a single router device. The router includes one cellular modem that serves multiple users through shared subscription management. The control unit dynamically allocates the modem resource to different users based on connection requests, data usage quotas, and network conditions, providing reliable connectivity without requiring each user to have a separate modem.
Solution Approach 2:
The router acts as an intermediary between multiple users and the cellular network. It maintains subscription profiles and manages the single modem resource, mediating connection requests from multiple users and allocating modem access appropriately. This intermediary function enables shared access while maintaining connection reliability for each user through proper resource management and quota enforcement.
3Device complexity
If a single transceiver is used for multiple subscriptions, then cost and complexity are reduced, but load balancing and fair data usage allocation become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback-based load balancing mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors data usage quotas, connection status, and network conditions for each subscription. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts transceiver allocation and switches between subscriptions to balance load. The feedback loop ensures fair data usage allocation by tracking consumed data against allocated quotas and making informed switching decisions to prevent any single subscription from monopolizing the transceiver resource.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic subscription switching and transceiver allocation rather than static assignment. The control unit continuously evaluates network conditions, data usage patterns, and quota status to dynamically determine which subscription should actively use the transceiver. This dynamic approach enables automatic load balancing and fair resource distribution across multiple subscriptions without requiring complex manual configuration or dedicated hardware for each user.
Data Source
AI summary
A WLAN router connected via a cellular network (e.g. LTE) to the Internet is disclosed; a plurality of SIMs (subscriptions), each associated with a user of the router, may be plugged into the router (or soft SIMs used); simultaneous Internet access for a plurality of users is achieved, even if the WLAN router does only have one TX/RX equipment, by the following features: the WLAN router—when receiving a portion of network traffic for a user—determines the subscription that the portion is associated with and updates a data usage quota for the subscription accordingly by an amount of data corresponding to said portion; thereafter, it is decided whether future network traffic for that subscription shall be transmitted over the same network connection or another subscription's network connection based on the updated data usage quota; thus, the router carries out load balancing between the subscriptions.