Traffic Steering Between 3GPP and WLAN Networks

Solution Overview

Problem

Current heterogeneous telecommunications networks lack a mechanism for efficient traffic steering between 3GPP and WLAN networks, leading to suboptimal handover decisions that can result in network overload or underutilization, as user terminals switch between networks without considering the performance of the destination network.

Innovation Solution

The method involves transferring performance information from the source network to the target network, allowing the target network to determine whether the user terminal should move, thereby enabling informed decision-making for optimal network selection and maintaining connection stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If user terminals automatically connect to WLAN upon detection, then connection speed is improved, but network overload occurs and 3GPP network underutilization results

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection speedVSAvoidnetwork load balance

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the user terminal send network performance information to the target WLAN network before actually switching networks. This allows the WLAN to assess its current load and performance capacity in advance, and only accept the handover if conditions are favorable, thereby preventing network overload while still enabling relatively fast connection switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by establishing a communication mechanism where the user terminal provides performance information about the source 3GPP network to the target WLAN network. The WLAN network then uses this feedback to make an informed decision about whether to accept the handover, creating a closed-loop control system that balances load across networks based on real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If user terminals switch networks without destination performance knowledge, then switching flexibility is improved, but suboptimal network selection occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork switching flexibilityVSAvoidnetwork selection quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the user terminal send network performance information to the target WLAN network before actually switching networks. This allows the WLAN to assess its current load and performance capacity in advance, and only accept the handover if conditions are favorable, thereby preventing network overload while still enabling relatively fast connection switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by establishing a communication mechanism where the user terminal provides performance information about the source 3GPP network to the target WLAN network. The WLAN network then uses this feedback to make an informed decision about whether to accept the handover, creating a closed-loop control system that balances load across networks based on real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If performance information is transferred between heterogeneous networks, then network selection accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork performance measurementVSAvoidinter-network communication mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the intermediary principle by using the user terminal as a mediator to transfer network performance information from the source 3GPP network to the target WLAN network. This intermediary approach enables communication between heterogeneous networks without requiring direct integration or complex inter-network protocols, thereby achieving accurate network selection while limiting system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies universality by designing the performance information transfer mechanism to work across different network types (3GPP and WLAN). The user terminal serves multiple functions: it acts as a user device, a measurement instrument, and a communication bridge, enabling the same mechanism to handle performance information exchange regardless of the specific network architecture involved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2923515B1Methods and apparatus for enabling traffic steering between heterogeneous telecommunication networks

Publication Date: 2021.05.26 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

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Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~3a

AI summary

According to a first aspect there is provided a method of operating a user terminal when attempting to move from a source network that is one of a 3GPP network and a WLAN, to a target network that is the other of a 3GPP network and a WLAN. The method comprises, during an attempt to connect to the target network, sending, to the target network, information relating to the performance of the source network experienced by the user terminal.