Method of operating telecommunications network

Abstract

A method (200) of operating a hybrid access telecommunications network (100), the telecommunications network comprising a client device (110) and a core network (130), the client device and the core network being connected via a plurality of network paths, each network path being established by a different access network (120), the method comprises the steps of: transmitting (210) and subsequently receiving (220) a lightweight packet string between the client device and the core network over each of the plurality of network paths; measuring a dispersion of each received packet string; determining relative network performance of a plurality of network paths using the measured dispersion (230); and configuring the telecommunications network to send subsequent network communications between the client device and the core network over the plurality of network paths according to the determined relative network performance of the plurality of network paths (250).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of operating a telecommunications network, in particular a method for testing and configuring a hybrid access network. Background Art

[0002] A networked device (such as a user device or access point) can connect to a telecommunications network by using multiple different access networks simultaneously; this is often referred to as "hybrid access". For example, a networked device can be in the form of a smartphone that connects to a cellular (e.g. LTE) and a non-cellular (e.g. fixed) access network and uses them simultaneously. In this way, the networked device is able to improve network access by having the combined throughput of both access networks.

[0003] However, hybrid access requires complex and resource-intensive management, especially to ensure the proper distribution of communications across multiple different access networks. This management is usually informed by performing diagnostics on the connections between the access networks and the networking devices. In the case of multipath TCP (MP-TCP), hybrid access routing is optimized using the Additive Increase Multiplicative Decrease (AIMD) method, which requires gradually adjusting the transmission rate to determine the optimal value; therefore, this is a relatively time and resource intensive process.

[0004] For large-scale networks, performing diagnostics to facilitate effective hybrid access communications therefore requires significant processing resources, limiting the extent to which effective and efficient hybrid access can be provided on a large scale using existing approaches.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to at least alleviate the above mentioned problems. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided: a method of operating a hybrid access telecommunication network, the telecommunication network comprising a client device and a core network, the client device and the core network being connected via a plurality of network paths, each network path being established by a different access network, the method comprising the following steps: sending and subsequently receiving lightweight packet strings between the client device and the core network via respective network paths in the plurality of network paths; measuring dispersion of respective received packet strings; determining relative network performance of the plurality of network paths using the measured dispersion; and configuring the telecommunication network to send subsequent network communications between the client device and the core network via the plurality of network paths according to the determined relative network performance of the plurality of network paths.

[0007] As used herein, the term "lightweight" in the context of a packet string preferably means: the packets of the packet string are identical or substantially identical in size and / or form; the packet string comprises at least two packets, and preferably comprises no more than 100 packets, more preferably comprises less than 50 packets, and even more preferably comprises less than 20 packets; the packet string does not exceed 7MB, preferably does not exceed 1Mb, even more preferably is less than 250kb, even more preferably is less than 50kb, and even more preferably is less than 10kb; and / or (only) utilizes a lightweight protocol, more preferably utilizes a connectionless protocol, even more preferably utilizes the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) or the Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP).

[0008] Preferably, the method is performed in response to: initialization of a new hybrid access connection, thereby notifying a start-up condition for such a connection; and / or a change in a plurality of network paths. Optionally, sending each lightweight packet string is performed sequentially or simultaneously through each of the plurality of network paths. Optionally, the step of measuring the dispersion and / or determining relative network performance is performed by a recipient of the lightweight packet string. Optionally, the step of configuring the telecommunications network includes changing hybrid access network path routing instructions for a client device and / or a core network. Preferably, the two different access networks are different in terms of access technology and / or ownership.

[0009] Preferably, configuring the telecommunications network includes dividing subsequent hybrid access network communications through each network path in proportion to the relative network performance of each network path. Preferably, the subsequent hybrid access network communications are divided according to the amount of data, the number of packets, the number of flows and / or the number of sub-flows. Optionally, the subsequent hybrid access network communications are divided on each network path at the level of individual packets, sub-flows or flows.

[0010] Preferably, configuring the telecommunications network includes limiting the type of data for subsequent network communications to one of the network paths based on the relative network performance of the paths. Preferably, more demanding data flows and / or types are sent to the network path with better network performance, and / or less demanding data flows and / or types are sent to the network path with poorer network performance.

[0011] Preferably, the method further comprises the following steps: after configuring the telecommunications network, using the configuration thus achieved as a starting condition for a connection-oriented protocol for subsequent hybrid access network communications using multiple network paths. Preferably, the connection-oriented protocol is a transmission control protocol TCP, and more preferably multipath TCP.

[0012] Preferably, at least one of the steps is performed by a client device and / or a core network. Optionally, the method further comprises the step of: one of the client device or the core network transmits the measured network performance and / or the generated routing instructions to the other party. Optionally, the communication is performed using only a single data packet and / or only a single network path among a plurality of different network paths. Optionally, all steps are performed by a client device and / or a core network.

[0013] Preferably, configuring the telecommunication network is also performed in dependence on a resource consumption value of a used network path, and more preferably in order to minimize said resource consumption value and / or to optimize communication performance with respect to the resource consumption value.

[0014] Preferably, configuring the telecommunication network is also performed according to a priority usage order of each of the plurality of network paths.

[0015] Preferably, configuring the telecommunications network is also performed based on a threshold usage level for each of the plurality of network paths.

[0016] Preferably, the determined relative network performance comprises measurements of: bandwidth; latency; and / or jitter.

[0017] Preferably, the at least two network paths include: a wide area wireless network; and a wide area fixed access network. Optionally, the wide area wireless network is a cellular network, and may be a long term evolution (LTE) network and / or a satellite network. Optionally, the wide area fixed access network includes a digital subscriber line (xDSL).

[0018] Preferably, the core network includes a software defined network SDN controller and / or access traffic steering, switching and diversion ASSSS functions, and wherein the SDN controller and / or ATSSS functions perform at least one step of the above method. Optionally, the SDN controller is a hybrid access gateway HAG.

[0019] Preferably, the client device is: an access point for hybrid access to a telecommunications network; a user equipment UE; or an Internet of Things IoT device.

[0020] Preferably, each lightweight packet string consists of only User Datagram Protocol UDP packets or Real Time Protocol RTP packets.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable carrier medium containing a computer program, which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to execute the above method.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present invention, a hybrid access telecommunication network is provided, the hybrid access telecommunication network comprising: a client device; a core network, wherein the client device and the core network are connected via a plurality of network paths, each network path being established by a different access network; a transmitter, the transmitter being used to send and subsequently receive lightweight packet strings between the client device and the core network via each of the plurality of network paths; a processor, the processor being configured to: measure dispersion of each received packet string; determine relative network performance of the plurality of network paths using the measured dispersion; and configure the telecommunication network to send subsequent network communications between the client device and the core network via the plurality of network paths according to the determined relative network performance of the plurality of network paths.

[0023] Optionally, sending and receiving lightweight packet strings comprises round-trip communication of lightweight packet strings between the client device and the core network. Preferably, the packet string comprises at least two serial packets. Preferably, the individual packets of the packet string are sent serially without delay, and more preferably at the highest available transmission rate. Optionally, the core network comprises an edge computing node, and wherein the edge computing node performs at least one of the steps of the above method.

[0024] The present invention includes any novel aspects described and / or illustrated herein. The present invention also extends to methods and / or apparatus substantially as described herein and / or as shown with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is also provided as a computer program and / or computer program product for performing any method described herein and / or for implementing any device features described herein and a computer-readable medium storing a program for performing any method described herein and / or for implementing any device features described herein. Features described as being implemented in hardware may alternatively be implemented in software, and vice versa.

[0025] Any means feature may also be provided as a corresponding step of a method, and vice versa.As used herein, means-plus-function features may alternatively be expressed in terms of their corresponding structures, for example as a suitably programmed processor.

[0026] Any feature in one aspect of the present invention may be applied to other aspects of the present invention in any appropriate combination. Any, some and / or all features in one aspect may be applied to any, some and / or all features in any other aspect in any appropriate combination. Specific combinations of various features described and defined in any aspect of the present invention may be independently implemented and / or provided and / or used.

[0027] As used throughout, the word 'or' may be interpreted in an exclusive and / or inclusive sense unless otherwise indicated.

[0028] The present invention extends to a method of operating a telecommunications network and a telecommunications network as herein described and / or substantially as illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 An exemplary telecommunications network is shown; and

[0030] Figure 2 A method of operating a telecommunications network is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Figure 1 An exemplary telecommunications network 100 in the form of a hybrid access network is shown, comprising: a customer premises equipment 110; a plurality of wide area access networks 120; and a core network 130.

[0032] The client device 110 is, for example, in the form of an end-user network device (e.g., a mobile or IoT device) or an access point (e.g., a wireless local area network access point) for providing forward communication to end-user devices.

[0033] Multiple wide area access networks 120 interconnect client devices with the core network to facilitate data communications between them. Each component access network is a different type of access network (e.g., in terms of technology and / or ownership). Therefore, each wide area access network provides a different network path for communications between client devices and the core network. Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 4 , the plurality of wide area access networks 120 include two types of access networks: a wireless wide area access network 120 - 1 ; and a fixed access wide area network 120 - 2 .

[0034] In order for the client device 110 to access each of the plurality of wide area networks 120, the client device includes a plurality of corresponding network interfaces 140. Figure 1 In the example of , the plurality of corresponding network interfaces 140 therefore include: a wireless wide area network interface 140-1 (for access network 120-1); and a fixed access wide area network interface 140-2 (for access network 120-2). The client device also includes a processor 150, which communicates with each network interface 140 and is configured to provide hybrid access capabilities to the client device (i.e., the client side).

[0035] In more detail, the wireless wide area access network 120-1 forms part of, for example, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) cellular telecommunication network and is in the form of a radio access network, in particular in accordance with 3GPP RTM The wide area fixed access network 120-2 is in the form of, for example, a copper and / or fiber optic distribution network.

[0036] The core network 130 is configured to control the operation of the plurality of wide area access networks 120, authenticate client devices, and connect with more data networks (not shown, such as the Internet) outside the telecommunications network 100. Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 1 , the core network 130 is in the form of a converged fixed access and cellular telecommunications network and is particularly as described in 3GPP RTM as defined in the 4G and / or 5G standards.

[0037] As part of the core network 130, a hybrid access gateway (HAG) 160 is provided, which is a logical function configured to communicate with each of the plurality of wide area access networks 120 and provide hybrid access capabilities to the core network (ie, the network side).

[0038] The telecommunications network 100 is configured such that the client device 110 and the core network 130 can be used to communicate between them by simultaneously using two different network paths provided by the two wide area access networks 120. In this way, the transmitted data is configured to be split (by the client device and / or the HAG) on each network path. This division of the transmitted data can be performed at the level of individual data packets, streams and / or sub-streams. The receiving entity (i.e., the client device and / or the HAG) is then configured to reassemble the data received via each network path in order to reconstruct the original data.

[0039] It should be understood that Figure 1 As shown, telecommunications network 100 includes other features known in the art, which are omitted for the sake of simplicity.

[0040] Figure 2 A process 200 is shown in which the telecommunications network 100 measures the network performance of each network path using a lightweight network performance test and then configures data routing via each network path for hybrid access communications based on the network performance measured using the lightweight test.

[0041] In a first step 210, the HAG 160 initiates a lightweight network performance test for each network path used to establish hybrid access communications between the client device and the core network, i.e., multiple access networks 120. To this end, in one example, the HAG sends a lightweight packet string to the client device 110 through each access network 120. The packet string is predefined so that the characteristics (e.g., nature, form, and / or size) of the packet string are known to both the HAG and the client device.

[0042] A lightweight packet train is "lightweight" in the following sense: the amount of data; the data processing requirements; and / or the duration of the test. To help ensure this "lightweight" property, the constituent packets of the packet train are: identical; few (e.g., at least two packets, but less than 100, and optionally less than 20); each packet is small in size (e.g., no more than 64kB, optionally less than 20kB, and alternatively less than 3kB); and / or utilize a lightweight (e.g., connectionless) protocol, such as the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) or the Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP). Lightweight packet trains can be contrasted with conventional network performance tests, such as the Transmission Control Protocol-based speed tests provided by Ookla (available at https: / / www.speedtest.net) or Samknows (available at http: / / samknowns.com / realspeed), which require large amounts of data and connection-oriented protocols.

[0043] In a second step 220, after receiving the packet train from each network path at the client device 110 (specifically, at each network interface 140), the client device performs a packet dispersion test through the processor 150 as part of a lightweight network performance test, wherein the dispersion of sequential packets within each packet train (i.e., the time separation of each serial packet in each packet train when received) is measured. The dispersion test can be used, for example, as disclosed in Dovrolis, Constantine & Ramanathan, Parameswaran & Moore, David, "Packet Dispersion Techniques and Capacity Estimation" (IEEE / ACM Transactions on Networking-TON; 2001), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0044] The scatter test can be used to determine or at least estimate the network performance of the network path in transmitting the packet string. The client device is configured to process the results of the scatter test of each network path to determine the network performance characteristics of each network path. In particular, such network performance characteristics include capacity, latency and / or jitter.

[0045] In the next step 230, having measured the network performance of each network path, the processor 150 compares the measurement results of each network path to determine the relative network performance of each network path. In the specific example of step 230, the client device measures bandwidths of 2Mb / s and 4Mb / s for the fixed access 120-2 and cellular 120-1 networks, respectively.

[0046] In a subsequent step 240, using the determined relative network performance of each network path, the processor 150 generates routing instructions for transmitting data through each network path using hybrid access. The routing instructions specify what type of data and / or what proportion of data is transmitted through each network path using hybrid access, and the relative network performance informs which specific access network 120 is responsible for a given type of data, flow and / or sub-flow and / or the relative share of data to be transmitted through each access network 120. In a specific example of step 240, since the bandwidth of the cellular network 120-1 is twice the bandwidth of the fixed access network 120-2, the client device generates routing instructions for transmitting twice the amount of data using the cellular network 120-1 as the amount of data transmitted using the fixed access network 120-2. In this way, the load of each access network 120 is balanced relative to the ratio of the network performance of each corresponding network path.

[0047] In a final step 250, routing instructions are communicated to the client device 110 (ie, in this example, as direct output from the processor 150) and the HAG 160 (ie, in this example, from the client device via any of the plurality of wide area access networks 120).

[0048] Upon receiving the routing instructions, the client device 110 and the HAG 160 execute the routing instructions to reconfigure subsequent routing of hybrid access network communications between the client device 110 and the HAG 160 in accordance with the routing instructions. In the above specific example of steps 230 and 240, the client device and the HAG are therefore configured to divide data transmitted between them such that the ratio of data sent via the cellular network 120-1 to data sent via the fixed access network 120-2 is two to one, respectively.

[0049] In one example, process 200 is initiated in response to first establishing or seeking to establish a hybrid access network connection between client device 110 and core network 130. In this way, process 200 allows hybrid access communications to be initiated with prior knowledge of network performance across each network path; this can be contrasted with, for example, pure use of Multipath Transmission Control Protocol (MP-TCP), which has no information about the network performance of each network path at startup. Instead, MP-TCP must gradually establish and evaluate the transmission rate on each network path in order to stabilize on the optimal transmission rate. In comparison, performing process 200 at the initialization of a hybrid access connection can therefore allow network performance to be determined more quickly on the network paths, and the lightweight nature of the network performance test can be more resource-efficient.

[0050] The output of process 200, which has initiated hybrid access communications based on performance-based routing instructions, can subsequently be used to enhance the protocol of ongoing hybrid access communications (e.g., MP-TCP) by signaling a startup configuration for data transmission that better reflects the capabilities of each network path at or near the time of communication initiation.

[0051] After step 250, process 200 may be used, for example, upon satisfaction of predetermined conditions (such as: expiration of a predetermined time period; a change in a network path; and / or a change in a characteristic of the data being transmitted (e.g., a change in data flow, data type, and / or data volume). Because process 200 uses lightweight network performance testing, process 200 may be performed at a higher frequency than protocols (e.g., MP-TCP) that require more resource-intensive path optimization processes.

[0052] Replacements and modifications

[0053] In one alternative, the entities responsible for at least some of the steps of process 200 can be the reverse of the entities described above between client device 110 and the core network (and specifically, HAG 160), such that the client device transmits a string of packets to the HAG, the HAG measures network performance, and / or the HAG generates routing instructions.

[0054] In an alternative, process 200 is performed such that the client device and the HAG each transmit (simultaneously or sequentially) a string of packets to each other as part of a lightweight network performance test.

[0055] In the alternative, a string of lightweight packets is sent round-trip in order to be returned to the same entity that originally sent the string of lightweight packets, wherein such entity thereby subsequently measures the round-trip network performance.

[0056] In an alternative example, the measured relative network performance is one of a plurality of factors used to generate routing instructions and thus data on the network path at step 240, such additional factors including:

[0057] 1. Capping the resource cost of using a given network path (e.g., capping the amount of data delivered using a cellular access network);

[0058] 2. Restricting data flows to a given access network (e.g., keeping long-lived flows from being reallocated to another network path while placing new flows on underutilized network paths, so that load balancing can be achieved over a longer time scale than conventional multipath TCP packet-by-packet load balancing, but with the advantage that the load balancer can be more easily implemented because it does not have to scatter and reassemble packets);

[0059] 3. Prioritization and / or threshold utilization of network paths (e.g., utilizing fixed access first, then cellular);

[0060] 4. Limiting the frequency with which new routing instructions are implemented, for example by requiring a gradual threshold change in relative network performance that must be exceeded to change routing instructions; and / or

[0061] 5. Dependencies with other ongoing features of the telecommunications network 100, such as two access networks 120 with known interdependencies (e.g., where the access networks are cellular networks in a RAN sharing arrangement);

[0062] In an alternative example, at step 240, the generated routing instructions are instructions to partition different data types between each access network 120 based on the relative measured latency of each network path. For example, based on the latency of cellular 120-1 being lower than that of fixed access 120-2 network, and video being more sensitive to latency, video and audio may be transmitted via cellular 120-1 and fixed access 120-2 network paths, respectively.

[0063] In an alternative, the telecommunications network can include at least three different access networks, each access network being used for hybrid access. In this case, process 200 is performed for all access networks to measure network performance and distribute data through each of the at least three access networks based on the measured network performance.

[0064] In the alternative, the plurality of access networks 120 for hybrid access may alternatively or additionally include any type of telecommunication network, including: a wireless local area network; a satellite network; and / or a combination of network types (or 'HetNet').

[0065] The above functions of HAG are additionally or alternatively performed by other components of the core network, such as access traffic steering, switching and splitting (ATSSS) functions.

[0066] Each feature disclosed herein and (where appropriate) part of the claims and drawings may be provided independently or in any appropriate combination.

[0067] Any reference signs appearing in the claims are by way of illustration only and shall not limit the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for operating a hybrid access telecommunication network, the telecommunication network comprising a client device and a core network, the client device and the core network being connected via a plurality of network paths, each network path being established by a different access network, the method comprising the following steps: sending and then receiving a lightweight packet train between the client device and the core network via each of the plurality of network paths; measuring the dispersion of each received string of packets; determining relative network performance of the plurality of network paths using the measured dispersion; as well as The telecommunications network is configured to send subsequent network communications between the client device and the core network over the plurality of network paths based on the determined relative network performances of the plurality of network paths.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Configuring the telecommunications network includes partitioning subsequent hybrid access network communications through the respective network paths in proportion to the relative network performance of the respective network paths.

3. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Configuring the telecommunications network includes limiting a data type of the subsequent network communication to one of the network paths based on the relative network performance of the paths.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the steps of: After configuring the telecommunication network, the configuration achieved thereby is used as a starting condition of a connection-oriented protocol for subsequent hybrid access network communications using the plurality of network paths.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: At least one of the steps is performed by the client device and / or the core network.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Configuring the telecommunications network is also performed based on resource consumption values ​​using the network paths.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Configuring the telecommunication network is also performed according to a priority usage order of each of the plurality of network paths.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Configuring the telecommunications network is also performed based on a threshold usage level for each of the plurality of network paths.

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The relative network performance determined may include measurements of: bandwidth; latency; and / or jitter.

10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The at least two network paths include: a wide area wireless network; and a wide area fixed access network.

11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The core network comprises a software defined network SDN controller and / or access traffic steering, switching and diverting ASSSS functions, and wherein the SDN controller and / or ATSSS functions perform at least one step of the preceding claim.

12. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The client device is: an access point for hybrid access to a telecommunications network; a user equipment UE; or an Internet of Things IoT device.

13. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Each lightweight packet string includes only User Datagram Protocol UDP packets or Real Time Protocol RTP packets.

14. A computer readable carrier medium containing a computer program which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the steps according to any one of the preceding claims.

15. A hybrid access telecommunication network, the hybrid access telecommunication network comprising: Client devices; A core network, wherein the client device is connected to the core network via a plurality of network paths, each network path being established by a different access network; a transmitter for sending and subsequently receiving lightweight packet trains between the client device and the core network via respective ones of the plurality of network paths; A processor configured to: measuring the dispersion of each received string of packets; determining relative network performance of the plurality of network paths using the measured dispersion; and The telecommunications network is configured to send subsequent network communications between the client device and the core network over the plurality of network paths based on the determined relative network performances of the plurality of network paths.

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