UE Group-Based RAN Parameter Steering for Load Balancing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current load balancing in heterogeneous wireless communication networks lacks the ability to provide preferential treatment to different subscriber profiles, leading to inefficient traffic steering and network resource allocation.

Innovation Solution

A mechanism where a 3GPP RAN sends UE group indications to user equipment (UE) devices, allowing them to apply specific radio access network (RAN) parameters based on subscriber profiles or access service classes for traffic steering between cellular and WLAN networks, enabling differentiated RAN parameter sets for various UE groups.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If uniform RAN parameters are applied to all UEs, then network control is simplified, but load balancing efficiency deteriorates due to inability to provide preferential treatment to different subscriber profiles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork control complexityVSAvoidload balancing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments UEs into different groups based on subscriber profiles, service classes, or access types. Each UE group receives customized RAN parameters tailored to their specific requirements. This segmentation enables differentiated traffic steering policies while maintaining manageable network control through group-based management rather than individual UE configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing different RAN parameters to different UE groups based on their specific characteristics and requirements. Each group receives locally optimized parameters for their particular service needs, subscriber profile, or access type, rather than a uniform parameter set for all UEs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If UE-specific ANDSF rules are used, then subscriber profile preferences are accommodated, but network-wide load balancing capability deteriorates due to heterogeneous parameter application

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubscriber profile accommodationVSAvoidnetwork-wide load balancing
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments UEs into groups based on subscriber profiles, service classes, or access types. Each UE group receives customized RAN parameters tailored to their specific requirements. This segmentation enables differentiated traffic steering policies while maintaining manageable network control through group-based management rather than individual UE configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing different RAN parameters to different UE groups based on their specific characteristics and requirements. Each group receives locally optimized parameters for their particular service needs, subscriber profile, or access type, rather than a uniform parameter set for all UEs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If RAN rules are applied uniformly to all UEs, then network control is simplified, but adaptability to different subscriber profiles deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork control easeVSAvoidsubscriber profile adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments UEs into groups based on subscriber profiles, service classes, or access types. Each UE group receives customized RAN parameters tailored to their specific requirements. This segmentation enables differentiated traffic steering policies while maintaining manageable network control through group-based management rather than individual UE configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing different RAN parameters to different UE groups based on their specific characteristics and requirements. Each group receives locally optimized parameters for their particular service needs, subscriber profile, or access type, rather than a uniform parameter set for all UEs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3657848B1Load balancing of data flows
Publication Date: 2022.07.27 ALCATEL LUCENT SA
  • EP3657848B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3657848B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3657848B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In some examples, a user equipment device is operable to receive, from a radio access network, radio access network parameters that can be applied by a group of user equipment devices, and a user equipment group indication enabling said user equipment device to determine whether to apply said radio access network parameters, and apply said radio access network parameters as part of an access network discovery and selection function policy, if said access network discovery and selection function policy matches said user equipment group indication.