Small Cell Policy Enforcement for Mobile Device Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional macro cells struggle to manage the increasing density and data rates of mobile devices in environments like city centers, where coverage is restricted by obstacles, and there is no effective way to enforce rules or policies for mobile device usage within heterogeneous networks.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a macro cell base station, a small cell base station, and a switching center that stores and applies rules and policies to mobile devices within the small cell, allowing optional acceptance or rejection by the device, and switches connections between macro and small cells as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If small cells are deployed to increase network capacity in high-density areas, then network productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple cell types and policy management
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into macro cells for broad coverage and small cells for high-density areas, allowing each cell type to be optimized independently for its specific function and environment
Solution Approach 2:
A policy management function is introduced as an intermediary between the network infrastructure and mobile devices, centralizing the complex task of policy enforcement and cell selection logic in a dedicated component
2Reliability
If rules and policies are enforced in small cells, then reliability of policy compliance is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to mandatory rule acceptance
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts policy enforcement based on device capabilities and user preferences, allowing flexible adjustment between strict compliance and user-friendly operation modes
Solution Approach 2:
The policy enforcement mechanism changes its behavior based on parameters such as device type, user profile, and service requirements, adjusting the strictness of rule application to balance compliance and convenience
3Reliability
If mobile devices must accept rules before connecting to small cells, then policy compliance is improved, but loss of time increases due to additional acceptance steps
Solution Approach 1:
Policy rules are pre-configured and cached in the policy management function, allowing rapid evaluation and enforcement without requiring time-consuming real-time negotiations or user interactions during connection setup
Solution Approach 2:
For devices with compatible pre-configured policies, the system skips detailed policy negotiation steps and directly establishes the connection, rushing through the acceptance process when compliance is already ensured
4Ease of operation
If macro cell coverage is extended to reach all areas, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity decreases due to inability to handle high-density traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The network coverage area is segmented and served by different cell types: macro cells provide broad geographic coverage while small cells provide high-capacity service in dense areas, with each optimized for its specific traffic demands
Solution Approach 2:
The network architecture adds a spatial dimension to capacity management by deploying small cells in high-density zones while maintaining macro cell coverage in lower-density areas, creating a multi-layered coverage structure
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a system for controlling use of a mobile device (102) in a heterogeneous network, wherein the heterogeneous network at least comprises a macro cell (100) and a small cell (101). The system at least comprises a macro cell base station (109), a small cell base station (103), a macro-cell-base-station-to-small-cell-base-station switching centre (111), and rules and/or policies (104) for use of the mobile device within the small cell. The small cell base station has a coverage (101) which is less than that of the macro cell (100), and is configured to apply the rules and/or policies to use of the mobile device in the small cell. The invention also provides a method of controlling use of a mobile device in a heterogeneous network, wherein the heterogeneous network at least comprises a macro cell and a small cell with a lesser coverage than the macro cell. The method at least comprises establishing rules and/or policies for use of the mobile device within the small cell and determining whether the mobile device is connected to the network via the small cell. If it is, the rules and/or policies are transmitted to the mobile device for acceptance or rejection. If they are accepted, the rules and/or policies are applied to use of the mobile device in the small cell, whereas if they are rejected, connection of the mobile device to the network via the small cell is terminated. Thus the use of the mobile device within the small cell can be controlled as desired, according to the rules and/or policies. The heterogeneous network may be any type of radio telecommunications cellular network having heterogeneous cells as described, and the mobile device may be any type of radio telecommunications-enabled portable device.