Service Query Protocol for RAN Sharing Scalability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current access network query protocols, such as ANQP, are unable to support a large number of service providers and do not account for radio access network (RAN) sharing, limiting the number of service providers that can be advertised to client devices and hiding unadvertised providers, which restricts the scalability and flexibility of service discovery in wireless communication systems.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a Service Query Protocol (SQP) that allows client devices to query a network access node associated with multiple serving networks, using identifiers like SSID, PLMN ID, SPI, or NAI realm, to discover and select from a broader range of service providers, enabling RAN sharing and supporting multiple connectivity access network providers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional ANQP protocol is used to query network information, then the protocol is simple and easy to implement, but it cannot support a large number of service providers and limits scalability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the service provider information by introducing serving network identifiers (PLMN IDs) as intermediate grouping keys. Instead of listing all service providers directly in ANQP, the system divides them into groups associated with different serving networks, allowing clients to query specific serving networks to access their associated service providers. This segmentation enables support for a large number of service providers while maintaining protocol simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the query protocol by introducing serving network identifiers as an additional query parameter. Clients can now specify both the serving network identifier and the ANQP element ID to query service providers, creating a two-dimensional query space (serving network dimension + service type dimension). This dimensional extension allows scalable support for multiple service providers without increasing protocol complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a network access node is restricted to a single connectivity access network provider, then the configuration is simple, but RAN sharing and multi-provider support are not enabled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the network access node universal by enabling it to serve multiple connectivity access network providers simultaneously. Each access node is configured with multiple serving network identifiers, allowing it to function as a gateway for multiple providers' service providers. This multi-functionality enables RAN sharing while maintaining relatively simple network configuration through standardized identifier management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces serving network identifiers (PLMN IDs) as intermediaries between the network access node and the multiple connectivity access network providers. These identifiers act as mediators that allow the access node to distinguish and manage connections to different providers without requiring complex direct configuration for each provider. The intermediary layer simplifies the overall network configuration while enabling multi-provider support.
3Quantity of substance
If only a limited number of service providers are advertised, then the broadcast overhead is reduced, but the probability of finding desired services decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having clients pre-fetch serving network identifier lists from the network access node before performing service provider queries. Clients can then selectively query only the serving networks they are interested in, rather than requiring the network to broadcast all service provider information upfront. This preliminary retrieval of identifier lists reduces broadcast overhead while enabling access to a larger number of service providers when needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
Features pertain to determining, at a client device, to send a query to a network access node. The query may be associated with a plurality of serving networks, each serving network identified with a serving network identifier. A first serving network identifier may be selected to associate with the query. The query may be sent to the network access node. The query may include the first serving network identifier, and in some aspects, a second serving network identifier. Additional features pertain to receiving, at a network node, a query including a first serving network identifier. The network node may be associated with a plurality of serving networks. A first server to which to forward the query may be determined at the network node. The first serving network identifier identifies the first server. The query may be sent to the first server.