Breakout Gateway for Multi-Network Packet Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile communication devices lack efficient methods to simultaneously support both core network communications and local area network connectivity via a single bearer service, limiting their ability to seamlessly interact with multiple networks.

Innovation Solution

A network device with a receiving unit, sending unit, and evaluating unit that receives trigger signals to break out packets from a bearer service, distinguishing between packets from different sources and routing them appropriately to either a core network server or a separate local area network, utilizing a Breakout-Gateway (BOGW) function for packet routing and IP address management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single bearer service is used for both core network and local area network communications, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the ability to simultaneously support multiple networks is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments packet traffic into two distinct types: packets from a first source (core network communications) and packets from a second source (local area network communications). The network device applies different routing rules to each packet type, enabling simultaneous support for both networks while using a single bearer service. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity while achieving multi-network adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If packets from different sources are routed through the same bearer service, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to distinguish and route packets to different networks is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoiddifficulty of detecting and measuring
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by evaluating packets based on their source characteristics. The network device examines specific packet attributes (such as source address or other identifying features) to determine whether a packet originates from the first source (core network) or the second source (local area network). This packet-level differentiation enables appropriate routing decisions without requiring complex system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If breakout functionality is added to enable simultaneous multi-network access, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a breakout gateway as an intermediary network device that performs the packet evaluation and routing functions. This intermediary handles the complexity of distinguishing between packet sources and applying appropriate routing rules, while the mobile device itself remains simple. The breakout gateway mediates between the single bearer service and the multiple network destinations, enabling adaptability without significantly increasing device complexity at the mobile end.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2499801B1Network device in a communication network and method for providing communications traffic breakout
Publication Date: 2018.04.11 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP2499801B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2499801B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2499801B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention a network device 500 may be provided which may comprise a receiving unit 501, a sending unit 502 and an evaluating unit 503. It may be foreseen that the receiving unit 501 may be adapted to receive a trigger signal 510 for preparing a breakout of a plurality of packets 520, wherein the plurality of packets 520 may comprise at least one packet from a first source 112 and at least one packet from a second source 114 and wherein the evaluating unit 503 may be adapted to evaluate the trigger signal 510. Moreover, the evaluation unit 503 may be adapted to evaluate packets from a first source 112 and packets from a second source 114 and the evaluation unit 503 may be adapted to distinguish packets from the first source 112 from packets from the second source 114.