Co-located Application Service Platform and Local Gateway
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The scalability of interfaces between access sites and central nodes in telecommunications networks is a challenge due to the large number of access sites, leading to inefficiencies in communication and resource management.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a distributed cloud infrastructure within the Radio Access Network (RAN) with an Application Service (AS) platform integrated into network nodes, utilizing a two-level hierarchy of user plane gateways to reduce direct interfaces and enhance communication efficiency between local and central gateway nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If AS platforms are co-located with each access node to enable local application services, then service responsiveness and access efficiency are improved, but the number of interfaces between access sites and central nodes increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the AS platform with the access node into a single integrated unit. This co-location allows the application service platform to directly access local network information and control resources without requiring separate communication interfaces to central nodes, thereby reducing interface complexity while maintaining fast service responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local service processing by placing the AS platform at the access node, enabling services to be delivered locally rather than through centralized processing. This local quality approach allows each access node to independently provide application services, reducing the need for numerous interfaces to central nodes while improving service speed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of access sites is increased to expand network coverage and capacity, then network服务能力 is improved, but the scalability of interfaces becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network architecture by distributing AS platforms across multiple access nodes rather than concentrating them at central nodes. This segmentation allows each access node to independently manage its local services, enabling the network to scale by simply adding more access nodes without proportionally increasing interface complexity at central nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a centralized interface model to a distributed architecture where services are delivered along a new dimension - locally at the access node. This dimensional change allows network expansion without linearly increasing the burden on central node interfaces, as each access node becomes self-sufficient in providing application services.
3Measurement precision
If direct interfaces are provided between each access site and central nodes for resource management, then control precision is improved, but communication efficiency and resource management become inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the access node as an intermediary between the AS platform and central nodes. The AS platform is integrated into the access node, which then communicates with central nodes as a single unit rather than requiring separate interfaces for each service function. This intermediary role maintains control precision while improving communication efficiency by reducing the number of direct interfaces required.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A telecommunications network which is accessible to a user equipment (10) via an access node (110) provided with an application service platform (150). The application service platform (150) may be used for locally supporting one or more application services which are accessible to the user equipment (10) via the access node (110). Further, a local gateway node (120) is co-located with the access node (110). The local gateway node (120) carries user plane data of the user equipment (10) between the access node (110) and the application service platform (150). Control plane communication between the local gateway node (120) and at least one central node (212, 214, 216, 218) of the telecommunications network is performed via a central gateway node (210) connected between the local gateway node (120) and the central node (212, 214, 216, 218) of the telecommunications network.