Base Station Direct Communication Mode for Mobile Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile communication networks face high latency and costly backhaul transport issues due to the need for routing data through the core network, limiting data rate and operational efficiency, especially in high-demand scenarios like gaming and VoIP.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a 'direct communication' mode between user equipment controlled by a base station, allowing direct data transfer without routing through the core network, utilizing existing base station functionalities and signaling elements like IMSI and IP-addresses to determine and enable direct mode operation based on load and user requests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is routed through the core network, then network management and control functions are maintained, but latency increases and backhaul transport costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication path into two modes: traditional routed mode through core network elements (RNC, SGSN) and direct mode where user planes communicate directly between base stations. This segmentation allows selective use of direct paths for latency-sensitive traffic while maintaining core network control for management functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station acts as an intermediary that can directly establish user plane connections between user equipments without involving core network elements. The base station maintains control plane connectivity with the core network while enabling direct user plane communication, thus reducing latency for data transmission.
2Reliability
If data is routed through the core network, then network control and management are maintained, but backhaul transport costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the user plane data transmission function from the core network path and establishes direct communication between base stations. This extraction eliminates the need for backhaul transport for local traffic, reducing transport costs while maintaining core network control plane management.
Solution Approach 2:
Base stations perform self-service by directly establishing and managing user plane connections between user equipments within their coverage areas. This self-service capability eliminates dependency on core network backhaul for local communications, reducing transport costs while maintaining network control through the control plane.
3Loss of time
If direct communication mode is implemented, then latency is reduced and air interface capacity is utilized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base station is enhanced with multi-functionality to support both traditional routed communication and direct user plane communication modes. This universal capability allows the base station to adaptively select the appropriate communication mode based on traffic requirements, reducing latency for direct communications while maintaining compatibility with existing network architectures.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, carried out by a base station (NodeB) of a mobile communication network, the base station being connected to a core network and being operable in a normal mode and in a direct mode, comprises the steps: - detecting a request originating from a first user equipment (UE1) to communicate with a second user equipment (UE2), the first user equipment (UE1) being in direct reach of the base station (NodeB), - establishing a communication link between the first and the second user equipment (UE1, UE2), - checking if the second user equipment (UE2) is also within direct reach of the base station (NodeB), - operating the communication link in direct mode, if yes; - operating the communication link in normal mode, otherwise.