Load sharing in multi-access systems
First Claim
1. A method for access control in a multi-access communications system having at least two access networks covering at least a common area, the method comprising:
- determining a quantity related to a load level in a first access network covering said common area;
selecting a first threshold level of a radio link quality based on said determined quantity related to a load level; and
deciding to allocate a new user in said common area to one of said first access network or a second access network covering said common area, the decision based on whether a first network radio link quality experienced by said new user exceeds said first threshold level, wherein;
said new user is allocated to said first access network in response to if-said first network radio link quality experienced by said new user exceeding said first threshold level; and
said new user is allocated to said second access network in response to if said first network radio link quality experienced by said new user being lower than said first threshold level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a multi-access system, an access selection principle is achieved by selecting a signal strength threshold level (130-133) based on a determined load level (ULOCAL) in a first access network. A new user in an area commonly covered by more than one access network attempts to allocate to the first access network if an experienced signal strength exceeds the signal strength threshold level (130-133). Communication utility can preferably be maximized or at least be taken into account by using suitable load level dependencies. By increasing the threshold when the load level approaches the capacity limit, a completely filled first access network is avoided. This gives an opportunity to let particularly well-suited users still have access to the first access network. At the same time, since the preferred access is decided before the actual access attempt, control signalling can be significantly reduced, even at very high traffic loads.
20 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for access control in a multi-access communications system having at least two access networks covering at least a common area, the method comprising:
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determining a quantity related to a load level in a first access network covering said common area; selecting a first threshold level of a radio link quality based on said determined quantity related to a load level; and deciding to allocate a new user in said common area to one of said first access network or a second access network covering said common area, the decision based on whether a first network radio link quality experienced by said new user exceeds said first threshold level, wherein; said new user is allocated to said first access network in response to if-said first network radio link quality experienced by said new user exceeding said first threshold level; and said new user is allocated to said second access network in response to if said first network radio link quality experienced by said new user being lower than said first threshold level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An access control node for use in a multi-access communications system having at least two access networks covering at least a common area, said access control node comprising:
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means for determining a quantity related to a load level in a first access network covering said common area; means for selecting a first threshold level of a radio link quality based on said determined quantity related to a load level; means for deciding to allocate a new user in said common area to one of said first access network or a second access network covering said common area, the decision based on whether a first network radio link quality experienced by said new user exceeds said first threshold level; means for allocating said new user to said first access network in response to said first network radio link quality experienced by said new user exceeding said first threshold level; and means for requesting allocation of said new user to said second access network in response to said first network radio link quality experienced by said new user being lower than said first threshold level. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification