Traffic Steering Between Cellular and WLAN Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing traffic between cellular and WLAN networks, particularly in handling high data transfer rates and network congestion, leading to potential service disruptions and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for dynamically steering traffic between cellular and WLAN networks based on signal strength, load conditions, and operator policies, using a base station and terminal with transceiver and controller units to determine and adjust traffic routing, ensuring optimal network usage and minimizing congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traffic is steered from cellular network to WLAN network, then network congestion is reduced and operational costs are minimized, but service quality may deteriorate due to potential WLAN network limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes traffic routing parameters based on real-time network conditions. The base station controller monitors cellular network load and WLAN availability, then adjusts traffic steering decisions by modifying routing parameters to steer traffic from cellular to WLAN when conditions favor WLAN, thereby reducing congestion while maintaining service quality through adaptive parameter adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the base station controller continuously monitors network conditions including cellular network load, WLAN network status, and traffic characteristics. Based on this feedback, the controller dynamically adjusts traffic steering decisions, ensuring that traffic is routed to the most appropriate network while maintaining service quality and reducing congestion
2Productivity
If dynamic traffic steering is implemented between cellular and WLAN networks, then network load is optimized and congestion is reduced, but system complexity increases due to coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The base station controller serves as an intermediary that centralizes traffic steering decisions. It receives traffic information from the cellular network, evaluates WLAN availability and conditions, and makes routing decisions. This intermediary approach optimizes network efficiency by coordinating traffic flow while managing system complexity through centralized control rather than distributed complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The base station controller performs multiple functions including cellular network management, WLAN network coordination, traffic monitoring, and routing decision-making. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional entity, the system achieves optimized network efficiency while avoiding the complexity that would arise from separate specialized components
3Adaptability or versatility
If traffic steering messages are transmitted to terminal and gateway, then traffic routing is dynamically adjusted, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by transmitting traffic steering messages selectively rather than continuously. The base station controller sends steering messages to the terminal and gateway only when traffic routing changes are needed based on current network conditions. This approach maintains routing flexibility by enabling dynamic adjustments while reducing signaling overhead by avoiding unnecessary messages during stable conditions
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a 5G or pre-5G communication system to be provided for supporting a higher data transmission rate beyond 4G communication systems such as LTE. More specifically, a method for transmitting and receiving signals by a base station of a mobile communication system according to one embodiment of the present specification comprises: a step of determining whether to steer a traffic related to a terminal to a wireless LAN; a step for determining a traffic to be steered to the wireless LAN; a step for transmitting, to the terminal, a first message including information for an uplink transmission of the traffic to be steered; and a step for transmitting, to a gateway, a second message including information for a downlink transmission of the traffic to be steered. According to an embodiment of the present specification, in a network and a terminal using both a cellular and a wireless LAN, presented is a method for transferring, via an access network considering the signal strength between the terminal and each access network, a load condition of each access network, a policy of a provider etc., traffic which are sent and received by the terminal and the network.