Wi-Fi Access Point Selection for IMS Calls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Wi-Fi access point selection for VoWiFi services is manual and lacks an automatic mechanism to intelligently choose based on network metrics, leading to suboptimal performance in IMS calling over Wi-Fi.

Innovation Solution

A method for automatically selecting Wi-Fi access points by connecting user equipment to a first Wi-Fi AP, establishing an IMS call, observing network metrics, disconnecting, and reconnecting to another Wi-Fi AP while executing the IKEv2 Mobility and Multihoming Protocol (MOBIKE) procedure to assess and select the best network for IMS call offloading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual Wi-Fi AP selection is used, then user control is maintained, but automation and intelligent selection based on network metrics are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic Wi-Fi AP selectionVSAvoidmanual selection requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically evaluating multiple Wi-Fi access points based on network metrics (signal strength, latency, packet loss, bandwidth) and selecting the optimal AP without requiring user intervention. The UE autonomously executes the selection process, eliminating the need for manual user operation while maintaining ease of use through automated intelligent decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If connection to multiple Wi-Fi APs is tested, then selection accuracy based on network metrics improves, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork metrics observation accuracyVSAvoidAP selection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by proactively establishing connections with multiple candidate Wi-Fi access points and observing their network metrics before final selection. This advance evaluation of signal strength, latency, packet loss, and bandwidth characteristics allows the system to pre-assess AP quality, ensuring accurate measurement while the parallel execution of connections minimizes the time penalty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If Wi-Fi offloading is implemented, then cellular network congestion is reduced, but complexity of network management increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecellular network capacityVSAvoidnetwork management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies segmentation by separating the network management functions into distinct modules: Wi-Fi scanning, connection establishment, network metrics observation, and selection decision-making. This modular approach handles the complexity of managing both cellular and Wi-Fi networks independently, allowing intelligent offloading to Wi-Fi when appropriate while maintaining clear separation of concerns and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20240430770A1Methodology of Wi-Fi Access Point Selection for IMS Call over Wi-Fi

Publication Date: 2024.12.26 MEDIATEK SINGAPORE PTE LTD

AI summary

A method of Wi-Fi access point (AP) selection including connecting user equipment (UE) with a first Wi-Fi AP, establishing connection with an IMS Network for an IMS call, exchanging a plurality of first messages between UE and a network if the first Wi-Fi AP is connected to the UE, observing first network metrics of the plurality of first messages by the UE, and disconnecting the first Wi-Fi AP and connecting a second Wi-Fi AP with the UE for the observation of the second network metrics.