WLAN-WWAN Mobility via Inter-System Routing Policies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions lack support for seamless Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)-Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) mobility in devices, which hinders simultaneous usage and data offload across different access networks based on Access Point Name (APN) policies.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for determining the optimal access network between WWAN and WLAN for data streams with specific APNs, ensuring Internet Protocol (IP) continuity and routing packets according to inter-system routing policies, enabling simultaneous usage and data offload across different access networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If simultaneous network connections to multiple radio access technologies are enabled (MAPCON, GPT, non-seamless Wi-Fi offload), then network flexibility and data offload capability are improved, but device complexity and difficulty of implementation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) as an intermediary component that mediates between multiple radio access technologies (WWAN and WLAN). The ANDSF framework provides Inter System Routing Policies (ISRP) that automatically determine which access network should be used for specific data streams based on APN, destination IP address, port number, or combination of these elements. This mediator simplifies device complexity by centralizing the decision-making logic for multi-network connectivity rather than requiring the device to manually manage complex routing between WWAN and WLAN.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network connectivity management by creating separate policy-based routing paths for different data streams. Each data stream can be independently assigned to WWAN or WLAN based on ISRP rules, allowing simultaneous connections to multiple radio access technologies. This segmentation enables fine-grained control over which applications or data flows use which network, resolving the contradiction by making multi-network support manageable through individualized routing decisions rather than monolithic complexity.
2Reliability
If WLAN-WWAN mobility handoff is implemented, then seamless network switching is improved, but IP continuity maintenance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing IP continuity mechanisms before actual network handoff occurs. The ANDSF framework pre-configures ISRP rules that map APNs and destination addresses to appropriate access networks, so when mobility handoff is needed, the device can quickly switch networks while IP sessions remain active. This preliminary configuration of routing policies ensures that IP continuity is maintained during WLAN-WWAN transitions without requiring complex real-time IP address management during the handoff itself.
3Productivity
If per-APN basis access network selection is implemented, then data offload efficiency is improved, but routing decision complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the ANDSF continuously monitors network conditions, data stream characteristics, and APN usage patterns. Based on this feedback, the ISRP policies are dynamically adjusted to optimize data offload efficiency. The system learns from past routing decisions and network performance, automatically refining which APNs should route through WLAN versus WWAN. This feedback loop simplifies per-APN routing decisions by using historical data and real-time monitoring rather than requiring complex manual configuration for each APN.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for supporting, in a device, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)-Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) mobility, data offload, and simultaneous usage of different access networks on a per Access Point Name (APN) basis. The device determines an access network among WWAN and WLAN for a data stream having an APN. The device additionally hands off the data stream according to the determined access network, while maintaining Internet Protocol (IP) continuity. The device further routes packets of the data stream to at least one of a protocol stack or interface for the determined access network in accordance with an inter-system routing policy (ISRP).