Traffic Steering Command Generation for Cellular WLAN Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems lack a conventional method for dynamic load balancing between cellular and non-cellular networks, particularly for wireless local area networks (WLAN) and 3GPP access networks, which limits efficient data offloading and service quality control.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for selecting and sending traffic steering commands to user equipment, allowing dynamic offloading between cellular (UTRAN or E-UTRAN) and non-cellular (WLAN) access networks using specific rules, such as those defined by ANDSF or HS2.0 policies, enabling fine-tuned offloading decisions based on service quality and network loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If load balancing is implemented between cellular and WLAN access networks, then network efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple policy sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple policy sources (ANDSF, HS2.0, operator policies) into a unified traffic steering framework. The network entity consolidates policies from different sources and generates single traffic steering commands, reducing the complexity burden on user equipment while maintaining network efficiency benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network entity as an intermediary that mediates between multiple policy sources and user equipment. This intermediary consolidates policies, resolves conflicts, and generates simplified traffic steering commands, thereby reducing device complexity while enabling efficient load balancing.
2Reliability
If traffic steering commands are sent dynamically, then service quality control is improved, but loss of information increases due to frequent reevaluations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where user equipment reports service quality metrics and network conditions back to the network entity. This feedback loop enables dynamic traffic steering decisions based on actual conditions while avoiding unnecessary reevaluations, thus maintaining service quality control without excessive information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic reevaluation of traffic steering rules based on triggered events or time intervals rather than continuous monitoring. This periodic action maintains service quality control while reducing the frequency of reevaluations, thereby minimizing information loss.
3Ease of operation
If seamless handovers are implemented between access networks, then user experience is improved, but device complexity increases due to joint RRM operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a network entity as an intermediary to handle the complexity of handover management. The network entity performs resource management and coordination between cellular and WLAN networks, enabling seamless handovers for user equipment without requiring the devices to implement complex joint RRM operations themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the complex joint RRM operations from user equipment and relocates them to the network entity. This extraction reduces device complexity while maintaining seamless handover capabilities, as the network entity handles the resource management and coordination functions that would otherwise burden the user equipment.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various communication systems may benefit from load balancing. For example, wireless communication systems may benefit from controlled load balancing between access networks with various policies from different sources. A method can include selecting a rule to apply to a user equipment with respect to selection of radio access between cellular radio access and non-cellular radio access. The method can also include sending a traffic steering command to the user equipment, wherein the command contains an indication of the rule.