Cloud-Edge-Site Network Architecture for Distributed Wireless Computing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication networks, particularly 5G and 6G, face challenges in efficiently distributing computing resources to meet the throughput and latency requirements of advanced applications like extended reality (XR) and Metaverse services, with current air interfaces failing to support dynamic resource movement between devices and base stations, leading to suboptimal quality of experience (QoE).

Innovation Solution

A distributed computing architecture is implemented, where radio access network (RAN) functionalities are integrated with cloud computing, enabling dynamic resource allocation and offloading across cloud, edge, and site network platforms, using a unified platform to support both communication and computation services, with a new air interface design to manage quality of service (QoS) and computation workload distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If 3GPP-based systems (LTE/5G) are used for wide area communication, then coverage and connectivity are improved, but control overhead increases and system capacity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidcontrol overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network into distributed edge computing nodes deployed across multiple locations, allowing local data processing near users rather than centralized processing. This reduces control overhead by enabling peer-to-peer communication and local resource utilization, while maintaining wide area coverage through the distributed architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the network architecture by implementing multi-access edge computing (MEC) nodes at different hierarchical levels (core network, edge nodes, local servers). This three-dimensional distributed architecture allows traffic to be processed at the closest available node, reducing latency and control overhead while maintaining broad coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If dynamic resource movement between devices and base stations is enabled, then quality of experience is improved, but air interface complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of experienceVSAvoidair interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal air interface protocol that handles multiple functions including communication, computation resource allocation, and workload distribution through a single integrated framework. This multi-functional approach improves quality of experience by supporting dynamic resource movement while avoiding the need for separate complex protocols for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a resource management intermediary layer that mediates between devices and base stations, coordinating dynamic resource allocation and workload distribution. This intermediary simplifies the air interface by centralizing the complexity of resource management in a dedicated control layer while maintaining flexible and reliable resource movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If distributed computing architecture is implemented, then resource sharing and flexibility are improved, but network architecture complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource sharing flexibilityVSAvoidnetwork architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges communication and computation functions into a unified distributed architecture where network nodes simultaneously handle both data transmission and computational workloads. This consolidation improves resource sharing flexibility by allowing compute-intensive tasks to be executed at edge locations while using a single integrated architectural framework rather than separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic resource allocation mechanisms that allow computing and communication resources to be dynamically assigned based on real-time demand. The architecture supports flexible workload distribution between central and edge nodes, enabling the system to adapt to varying resource requirements while managing complexity through standardized dynamic provisioning protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250294376A1Systems and methods for facilitating distributed communications and computing over wireless communication networks

Publication Date: 2025.09.18 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, implementing a cloud network platform to run control plane functionalities and first user plane functionalities, implementing an edge network platform to run both communication functionalities and second user plane functionalities, and implementing a site network platform to run a radio layer 1 (L1) functionalities. Other embodiments are disclosed.