Aggregation Node for Multi-RAT Network Architecture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current network architectures, such as the 4G architecture, fail to meet the latency and reliability requirements of ultra-reliability low latency communication (URLLC) services and struggle with increased user density, leading to increased data processing load and latency in the core network.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an aggregation node that converts non-access stratum messages into a format supported by the core-network control plane, allowing the core network to parse and process messages more efficiently, thereby reducing latency and processing load by enabling direct processing by network entities near the radio access network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all non-access stratum messages from multiple RAT types are sent directly to the core network, then the core network can process all signaling centrally, but the core network data processing load increases and latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the core network into a control plane entity (for centralized signaling processing) and a user plane entity (for data forwarding). The aggregation node further segments the signaling path by intercepting and converting NAS messages locally, reducing the volume of data that must traverse the core network while maintaining centralized control for authentication and mobility management.
Solution Approach 2:
The aggregation node acts as an intermediary between the radio access network and the core network. It converts NAS messages from multiple RAT types into a unified format and selectively forwards only necessary signaling to the control plane entity, while localizing the processing of routine NAS messages to reduce core network load and latency.
2Reliability
If the core network processes all non-access stratum messages from different RAT types, then centralized control is maintained, but path latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aggregation node performs preliminary conversion of NAS messages from multiple RAT types into a unified format before forwarding to the core network. This pre-processing action reduces the complexity of core network processing and accelerates message handling by resolving format conversions at the edge of the network rather than at the core.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple network architectures coexist with separate interfaces to the core network, then each architecture can operate independently, but the core network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aggregation node implements a universal interface that supports multiple RAT types (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi) and converts their diverse NAS message formats into a unified format. This multi-functional capability allows the core network to support multiple architectures through a single standardized interface, reducing core network complexity while maintaining adaptability to different access technologies.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention provides a data processing method, a node, a structure, and an apparatus. The method includes: receiving, by an aggregation node, a first non-access stratum message sent by user equipment UE, where the aggregation node includes at least two types of interfaces, and each type of interface is used to receive a first non-access stratum message of one radio access technology RAT type; converting, by the aggregation node, the first non-access stratum message into a non-access stratum message in a first format based on a RAT type of the first non-access stratum message, where the first format is a non-access stratum message transmission format supported between the aggregation node and a core-network control plane entity; and sending, by the aggregation node, the non-access stratum message in the first format to the core-network control plane entity. A sink design of the aggregation node saves sending and receiving resources of a core network and improves packet forwarding efficiency.