Centralized EPC Node Consolidating Control Plane Signaling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current communications systems face inefficiencies in control plane signaling due to complex architectures with multiple nodes, leading to increased latency, maintenance costs, and reduced flexibility, as well as longer Time To Market (TTM) for new services and features.
Innovation Solution
A centralized Evolved Packet Core (cEPC) node is introduced to handle all or substantially all control plane signaling between a Radio Access Network (RAN) node and an operator network, consolidating functions like MME, SGW, and PGW, and integrating with a user plane node, thereby reducing the number of nodes and interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple EPC nodes (MME, SGW, PGW) are used to handle control plane signaling, then network functionality and reliability are improved, but device complexity and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple EPC node functions (MME, SGW, PGW) into a single integrated cEPC node. This consolidation maintains all necessary network functionalities while reducing the number of separate physical nodes, thereby decreasing device complexity and maintenance burden while preserving reliability through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The cEPC node is designed as a universal platform that performs multiple functions previously distributed across different specialized nodes. By implementing MME, SGW, and PGW capabilities within one node, the system achieves multi-functionality that reduces overall network complexity while maintaining the reliability benefits of having diverse network functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control plane interfaces (S3, S4, S5, S11, Gn, Gx) are implemented between EPC nodes, then network versatility and service capability are improved, but signaling latency and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By consolidating multiple EPC nodes into a single cEPC node, the patent eliminates numerous inter-node control plane interfaces (S3, S4, S5, S11, Gn, Gx). This merging reduces the number of signaling hops and interface processing steps, thereby decreasing signaling latency while maintaining service capability through internal functional integration.
3Reliability
If multiple separate EPC nodes are deployed, then network robustness and fault isolation are improved, but operational expenditure and capital expenditure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple EPC nodes into a single cEPC node, which reduces the total number of equipment units requiring deployment, power, cooling, and physical maintenance. This consolidation lowers both capital expenditure (fewer hardware units) and operational expenditure (reduced maintenance overhead) while maintaining network robustness through virtualized functional separation within the unified node.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a complex multi-node EPC architecture is used, then network functionality is comprehensive, but Time To Market for new services and features increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating multiple EPC node functions into a single cEPC node with unified control, the patent simplifies the deployment and configuration process for new services. The consolidated architecture reduces the complexity of inter-node signaling and coordination, enabling faster service provisioning and shorter Time To Market while maintaining comprehensive network functionality through internal functional integration.
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a control plane Evolved Packet Core, cEPC, node for handling control plane signaling in a communications system. The cEPC node handles substantially all control plane signaling for a User Equipment, UE, between a Radio Access Network, RAN, node and an operator network.