Access Point PDU Encapsulation for LTE-DSL Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems lack an efficient integration of Long Term Evolution (LTE) radio access with fixed broadband access, leading to separate and inefficient handling of copper and LTE access technologies, which is suboptimal for providing residential wireless services.
Innovation Solution
The integration of wire line broadband access with LTE radio access technologies is achieved by extending Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexers (DSLAMs) to include LTE radio access functions, allowing for centralized radio resource control and simplified access points that encapsulate and decrypt packet data units (PDUs) for efficient routing and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If copper access and LTE radio access are treated as separate independent realms using overlay models, then existing infrastructure can be maintained, but integration efficiency and service provisioning capability are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges copper access network functions and LTE radio access network functions into a single integrated access node. The access point simultaneously performs DSLAM functions (copper access) and eNodeB functions (LTE radio access), eliminating the need for separate overlay networks and improving integration efficiency while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The access point is designed as a universal node that can handle both wireline (copper) and wireless (LTE) connections. It provides multi-functional capability to serve different types of user equipment through different access technologies simultaneously, enabling seamless integration of fixed and mobile broadband services.
2Reliability
If access points perform full LTE protocol stack processing including encryption and integrity protection, then security is ensured, but device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the security-critical functions (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, and verification) from the access point and relocates them to the network side (eNodeB and core network). The access point is left with simpler packet forwarding and header processing functions, reducing its complexity and production costs while maintaining security through centralized network-side processing.
3Productivity
If separate handling of copper and LTE access technologies is used, then existing independent systems can be preserved, but service provisioning efficiency and resource utilization are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines copper access (DSLAM) and LTE radio access (eNodeB) into a single integrated access node that can simultaneously manage both types of connections. This merging enables efficient service provisioning by allowing the network to dynamically allocate resources across different access technologies and provides unified management for fixed and mobile broadband services.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided performed by an access point for handling uplink communication in a communication system comprising the access point and a wire line network node connected via wire line to the access point. The method comprises receiving an encrypted and/or integrity protected packet data unit, PDU, from a user equipment (UE) wirelessly connected to the access point and detecting type of the received PDU, the type of PDU being any of a signaling radio bearer type or a data radio bearer type. The method further comprises encapsulating the received PDU by setting a header to the PDU, which header comprises an identity indicating the detected type of PDU and an identity indicating a source address and/or a destination address of the PDU, and sending the encapsulated PDU to the wire line network node. Provided is also a corresponding method performed in the wire line network node.