Cell-Site Transport Layer Proxy for Seamless Cellular Handovers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular network architectures face inefficiencies in managing transport layer sessions, particularly during handovers, as they rely on traditional cellular-based relocation techniques that are not optimized for wireless channels, leading to suboptimal performance and potential service disruptions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a cell-site transport layer proxy within base stations to establish and manage TCP sessions, using out-of-band control channels to optimize TCP performance and relocate session states between base stations, ensuring seamless handovers and improved wireless channel efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cellular-based relocation techniques are used for managing transport layer sessions during handovers, then network architecture simplicity is maintained, but transport layer performance and service continuity are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
A transport layer proxy is introduced as an intermediary component within the base station architecture. This proxy terminates transport layer sessions at the cell site and manages session state information, acting as a mediator between the wireless access network and the core network. During handovers, the proxy enables seamless session relocation by maintaining session state locally and coordinating with the mobile gateway, thereby improving service continuity without requiring fundamental changes to the overall network architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The network architecture is segmented into distinct functional components: the transport layer proxy at the base station level handles session management and state tracking, while the mobile gateway in the core network handles anchoring and policy enforcement. This segmentation allows the base station to optimize transport layer performance locally during handovers without impacting the entire network, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
2Ease of operation
If transport layer sessions are anchored at the mobile gateway in the core network, then network control and security are simplified, but handover performance and wireless channel optimization are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimensional layer for session management by placing the transport layer proxy within the base station infrastructure. This creates a dual-layer anchoring mechanism: the mobile gateway provides core network anchoring for security and control, while the transport layer proxy provides cell-site anchoring for optimized handover management. This dimensional addition allows handover operations to be managed locally at the radio access level without compromising core network security, thereby improving service continuity during handovers.
3Productivity
If services are hosted inside base stations on virtual machines, then wireless-specific optimization is achieved, but integration with cellular networking standards and infrastructure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The transport layer proxy implements a standardized interface that copies the essential functions of core network elements at the base station level. By maintaining session state information locally and using standardized protocols for communication with the mobile gateway, the proxy enables wireless-specific optimization while preserving compatibility with cellular networking standards. This copying approach allows the base station to execute optimized services without sacrificing adaptability to existing network infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a first request from a first user equipment by a first transport layer proxy located within an access network The first request includes a request to establish a user session between the first user equipment and a remote server. The method further includes establishing a first transport layer session between the first user equipment and the first transport layer proxy, establishing a second transport layer session between the first transport layer proxy and the remote server, and establishing a first control channel between the first transport layer proxy and a transport layer function manager within a core network. The method further includes sending session state parameters associated with the first transport layer session and the second transport layer session to the transport layer function manager using the first control channel.