UE Policy Selection for Roaming Traffic Offloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the context of 3GPP LTE/SAE technology, determining the optimal access for user traffic between 3GPP and WLAN networks is challenging, especially during roaming, as user equipment (UE) receives multiple policies from different access network discovery and selection functions (ANDSFs), leading to confusion and inability to select an appropriate policy, resulting in inefficient traffic offloading.
Innovation Solution
A method and terminal that receive policies including WLAN selection rules from multiple ANDSFs in public land mobile networks (PLMNs), select a policy based on predetermined location-relevant criteria, and decide whether to deliver traffic to 3GPP access or offload it to WLAN access, prioritizing policies from the home PLMN (H-PLMN) or visited PLMN (V-PLMN) based on available WLAN matching criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the UE receives multiple policies from different ANDSFs during roaming, then the UE has more policy options for traffic offloading, but the UE cannot select an appropriate policy due to confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the policy selection process by introducing location-relevant criteria that divide policies into distinct categories based on the UE's roaming status. The UE determines whether it is in home PLMN or visited PLMN territory and applies corresponding selection rules, thereby breaking down the complex multi-policy selection into manageable segments based on location context.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces location-relevant criteria as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between multiple conflicting policies from different ANDSFs. This intermediary layer processes the location information and policy set to determine which policy should be applied, eliminating the confusion by providing a clear selection pathway based on the UE's current network environment.
2Productivity
If the UE offloads traffic to WLAN access, then the core network congestion is reduced, but the UE needs accurate policy selection to determine optimal offloading conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the UE determine its location status (home PLMN or visited PLMN) before selecting a policy for traffic offloading. This preliminary location-based classification ensures that the UE has accurate policy selection criteria in place before making traffic offloading decisions, thereby improving the reliability of offloading decisions while maintaining high network efficiency.
3Reliability
If the UE prioritizes H-PLMN policies, then the home network control is maintained, but the UE may miss optimal offloading opportunities in V-PLMN
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the policy prioritization flexible rather than static. The UE dynamically adjusts policy priority based on its current location context: when in home PLMN, H-PLMN policies are prioritized to maintain home network control; when in visited PLMN, V-PLMN policies are prioritized to capture optimal offloading opportunities. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining home network control and achieving efficient traffic offloading.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for determining an access based on policy. A user equipment (UE) receives a plurality of policies including a wireless local area network (WLAN) selection rule from a plurality of access network discovery and selection functions (ANDSFs) at a plurality of public land mobile networks (PLMNs). The UE receives specific information from at least one PLMN of the plurality of PLMNs. The UE selects a policy among the plurality of policies based on the specific information if there is no user configuration The selected policy is used to select a WLAN access. The plurality of PLMNs include a home PLMN (H-PLMN) and a visited PLMN (V-PLMN).