User Device Network Switching for Dual Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrating and tuning LTE macro-cell and neutral host networks for seamless user device mobility with minimal power consumption and brief data interruptions is challenging due to different administration and management systems, especially when user devices support dual connectivity across millions of disparate neutral host networks.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for user devices to receive data packets from external networks, transmit measurement configurations, and determine feasibility for network switches based on measurement reports, including triggers for quality, cell load, and geographic position, to autonomously switch between macro-cell and neutral host networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the user device autonomously makes switching decisions between LTE networks, then mobility efficiency and power consumption are improved, but the complexity of integrating and tuning disparate neutral host networks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The user device is empowered to autonomously make network switching decisions by evaluating measurement reports against configured policies, eliminating the need for complex centralized coordination between multiple neutral host networks and the mobile network operator. The device independently assesses signal quality, load conditions, and geographic position to determine optimal network switches.
Solution Approach 2:
The network switching function is segmented into independent decision-making components at the user device level, separating the complexity of network integration from the mobile network operator's infrastructure. Each user device independently manages its own network selection, dividing the overall system complexity across multiple autonomous devices rather than requiring centralized management.
2Reliability
If the user device supports dual connectivity to multiple LTE networks, then network coverage and connectivity reliability are improved, but the burden on mobile network operators for integration and management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The user device autonomously manages its dual connectivity by independently evaluating measurement reports from multiple LTE networks and selecting the optimal network for data transmission. The device handles network selection, switching decisions, and policy evaluation without requiring the mobile network operator to manually integrate or manage each neutral host network connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The complexity of managing dual connectivity is segmented from the mobile network operator's infrastructure and distributed to individual user devices. Each device independently manages its own connections to multiple LTE networks, dividing the management burden across numerous autonomous devices rather than requiring centralized coordination.
3Reliability
If seamless mobility between LTE networks is achieved, then user experience and data transmission continuity are improved, but the integration and tuning of disparate networks becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The user device autonomously ensures seamless mobility by independently evaluating measurement reports and executing network switches based on configured policies. The device maintains data transmission continuity through autonomous handover decisions without requiring the mobile network operator to manually integrate or tune the interoperability between disparate neutral host networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The functionality for ensuring seamless mobility is segmented from the network infrastructure and assigned to individual user devices. Each device independently manages its own mobility decisions, dividing the complexity of network integration across multiple autonomous devices rather than requiring centralized integration efforts.
4Speed
If the user device autonomously selects networks based on measurement reports, then mobility speed and responsiveness are improved, but the device's processing requirements and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The user device autonomously and rapidly evaluates measurement reports against pre-configured policies to make immediate network switching decisions. The device processes signal quality, load, and position data in real-time without requiring complex centralized coordination, enabling fast mobility responses while keeping processing requirements manageable through policy-based decision-making.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method includes receiving one or more data packets (40) from an external network (30) when a user device (200) connects to a first network (101). The user device is configured for dual connectivity with the first network and a second network (102). The method also includes transmitting a measurement configuration (212) to a modem (250) of the user device and receiving a measurement report (214) from the modem. When it is feasible for the modem to perform a network change, the method includes transmitting a network change command (216) to the modem. The network change command causes the modem to perform the network switch to connect the user device to the second network.