Bypassing 3GPP Core Network for Internet Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 3GPP packet core network architecture incurs unnecessary delays and resource inefficiencies due to the majority of mobile broadband traffic being Internet-bound, which does not benefit from session anchoring and results in increased investment in higher-level nodes without exploiting the nomadic and Internet nature of traffic.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an Internet Access Point Offload (IAO) device, also known as an IAO gateway, near the Internet point of presence or within the radio access network, which intercepts and routes Internet-bound traffic directly to the Internet, bypassing the serving GPRS support node and gateway GPRS support node of the packet core network, using intelligence to distinguish between Internet-bound and operator services traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all traffic is routed through the 3GPP packet core network (SGSN/GGSN), then session anchoring and network control are maintained, but unnecessary delays and resource inefficiencies occur for Internet-bound traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments traffic into two paths: Internet-bound traffic is routed directly through the RAN to the Internet, while operator services traffic continues through the SGSN/GGSN. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized independently, eliminating delays for Internet traffic while preserving session anchoring for operator services.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts Internet-bound traffic from the traditional SGSN/GGSN core network path and redirects it through a dedicated Internet access point in the RAN. This extraction removes the unnecessary routing steps for Internet traffic while maintaining the core network's control over operator services traffic.
2Reliability
If all traffic is routed through the 3GPP packet core network (SGSN/GGSN), then network control and session anchoring are maintained, but resource usage of higher-level nodes increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments traffic handling by implementing separate paths for Internet-bound and operator services traffic. Internet traffic is handled at the RAN level through an Internet access point, while operator services traffic continues through the SGSN/GGSN. This segmentation significantly reduces the resource consumption of SGSN/GGSN nodes by filtering out Internet-bound traffic before it reaches them.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts Internet-bound traffic from the SGSN/GGSN resource consumption chain by implementing direct routing through the RAN. This extraction allows the core network nodes to focus their resources on operator services traffic only, eliminating unnecessary resource usage for Internet traffic handling.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hierarchical structure with multiple SGSNs and GGSNs is implemented, then network coverage and mobility support are improved, but investment in higher-level nodes increases without exploiting traffic nomadic nature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments traffic handling by implementing an Internet access point in the RAN that operates independently from the traditional SGSN/GGSN hierarchy. This segmentation allows the RAN to handle Internet traffic locally, reducing the burden on higher-level nodes while maintaining mobility support through the existing hierarchical structure for operator services traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts Internet-bound traffic from the hierarchical SGSN/GGSN structure and handles it at the RAN level. This extraction reduces the need for heavy investment in higher-level nodes while preserving the hierarchical structure's ability to support mobility for operator services traffic.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for bypassing a packet core network for Internet bound traffic from user equipment (UE) via a RAN are described herein. According to one embodiment, it is determined whether a packet of data is destined for the Internet, in response to receiving the packet from a radio network controller (RNC) of a radio access network (RAN). The packet is originated from user equipment (UE) over the RAN. The packet is routed directly to the Internet without sending the packet to an SGSN (serving GPRS support node) of a packet core network, if the packet is destined to the Internet. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.