Terminal Network Selection Using RAT and CN Type Information

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems experience service interruptions when a public land mobile network is disrupted by natural disasters due to flawed handover mechanisms, preventing terminal devices from seamlessly switching to alternative networks.

Innovation Solution

The system provides methods and apparatuses for terminal devices to receive and utilize information about available radio access technologies and core networks, enabling them to select suitable networks for service continuity during network disruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a terminal device relies on pre-configured network handover mechanisms, then basic services can be obtained during network disruption, but service interruption still occurs due to the flawed handover mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidhandover mechanism effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The core network element sends RAT type and CN type information to the terminal device in advance, before network disruption occurs. This preliminary provision of information enables the terminal device to quickly and accurately select an alternative network when disruption occurs, avoiding service interruption without requiring complex real-time handover mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device is empowered to autonomously select an alternative network based on the pre-received RAT type and CN type information, without relying on complex automated handover mechanisms. The device uses this information to independently determine and connect to a suitable alternative network, eliminating the flaws in traditional handover mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing handover mechanisms are used for network switching during disruptions, then terminal devices can attempt to maintain connectivity, but service interruption results due to mechanism flaws

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork switching capabilityVSAvoidservice availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The core network element provides RAT type and CN type information to the terminal device beforehand, enabling the device to adapt to network disruptions by selecting from pre-known alternative network types. This preliminary information provision enhances network switching capability while ensuring reliable service continuity, eliminating the need for flawed real-time handover mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the terminal device has limited information about available networks, then device complexity is reduced, but service interruption occurs due to inability to select alternative networks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal device information processingVSAvoidservice continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The core network element sends RAT type and CN type information to the terminal device in advance, providing the device with essential network selection information without requiring complex real-time information processing. This preliminary provision of information enables reliable service continuity while keeping the terminal device relatively simple, as the device only needs to use the pre-provided information for network selection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4625904A1Communication method and communication apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP4625904A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4625904A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4625904A1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

A communication method and a communication apparatus are provided. The method includes the following. A terminal device receives first information from a first core network element, where the first information indicates at least one radio access technology (RAT) type and/or at least one core network (CN) type. With the method in implementations of the present disclosure, service interruption can be avoided.