Terminal Traffic Steering Mode Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently interworking between different radio access technologies, particularly in managing traffic steering and measurement reporting between 3GPP and non-3GPP networks, with existing mechanisms often relying on dedicated or broadcast parameters that may not adapt well to changing network conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method where a terminal operates in two distinct modes: a traffic steering mode and a measurement reporting mode, with the mode transition triggered by specific criteria and a timer, allowing for autonomous steering based on received parameters and switching to network-controlled steering after the timer expires, and optionally using broadcast criteria when served by a new cell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the terminal uses dedicated parameters for traffic steering, then the steering accuracy is improved, but the signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic parameter switching where the terminal transitions between using dedicated parameters and broadcast parameters based on RRC connection state. When in RRC connected state, the terminal uses dedicated parameters for accurate steering. When transitioning to idle state, it switches to broadcast parameters, thereby adapting the parameter source to the current operational context and reducing unnecessary signaling overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the source of steering parameters based on the RRC connection state. Specifically, it switches from dedicated parameters (received during connected state) to broadcast parameters (received in idle state), allowing the system to maintain steering functionality across different connection states while optimizing signaling usage.
2Quantity of substance
If the terminal switches to broadcast parameters after leaving connected mode, then the signaling overhead is reduced, but the steering responsiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the terminal store dedicated parameters before transitioning to idle state. These parameters are retained and reused during idle period, allowing the terminal to maintain accurate steering decisions without requiring real-time network signaling, thus preserving responsiveness while reducing overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal creates a copy of the dedicated parameters received during connected state and stores them for later use in idle state. This copying mechanism allows the terminal to operate with accurate steering parameters without continuous network interaction, effectively decoupling parameter accuracy from real-time signaling dependency.
3Measurement precision
If the terminal continues to apply dedicated parameters after leaving connected mode, then the steering accuracy is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the parameter management into two distinct modes based on RRC connection state: one mode for handling dedicated parameters when connected, and another mode for using broadcast parameters when idle. This segmentation simplifies the overall management complexity by creating clear boundaries and rules for parameter usage in different operational contexts.
Data Source
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AI summary
A terminal (10) is capable of communicating with a first wireless access network (20, 21) and with a second wireless access network (30, 31). The terminal (10) receives criteria from the first wireless access network (20, 21). The criteria comprise reporting criteria and steering criteria. The terminal (10) determines when a trigger event occurs and starts a timer (Txx). The terminal (10) operates in a first mode (124) for a first time period until expiry of the timer (Txx). The terminal operates in a second mode (127) after expiry of the timer (Txx). Operation in the second mode (127) is different to operation in the first mode (124). One of the first mode (124) and the second mode (127) comprises a traffic steering mode in which the terminal directly steers at least some traffic when the steering criteria are met and the other one of the first mode (124) and the second mode (127) comprises a measurement reporting mode in which the terminal sends a measurement report when the reporting criteria are met and waits for a traffic steering instruction to steer at least some traffic the first wireless access network (20, 21) or to the second wireless access network (30, 31).