D2D Gateway Sidelinks for Low-Latency Interconnected LANs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Interconnecting local area networks (LANs) using 5G LAN-type services can be inefficient when they are geographically close, leading to transmission inefficiency and delay due to traffic routing through radio access network nodes and the 5G core network.

Innovation Solution

Implementing device-to-device (D2D) connections, specifically sidelinks as per 3GPP standards, to directly connect gateway UEs of LANs, enabling direct data transmissions without relying on 5G LAN-type services, and utilizing discovery and routing processes to manage device mappings and link qualities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If 5G LAN-type services are used to interconnect geographically close LANs, then network coverage and security are improved, but transmission delay and efficiency deteriorate due to routing through RAN nodes and core network

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork securityVSAvoidtransmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces D2D sidelink technology as an intermediary communication path between gateway UEs of geographically close LANs. This intermediary mechanism enables direct peer-to-peer data transmission without requiring routing through RAN nodes and 5G core network, thereby reducing transmission delay while maintaining network security through controlled access and authentication protocols

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the network communication path into two distinct modes: traditional 5G LAN-type services for general coverage and D2D sidelink mode for geographically close LANs. By segmenting the communication architecture, the system can selectively apply the most efficient transmission path based on geographic proximity, optimizing both security and transmission performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If 5G LAN-type services are used for LAN interconnection, then network management and security are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork managementVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic communication mode selection where gateway UEs can switch between traditional 5G LAN-type services and D2D sidelink mode based on geographic proximity and network conditions. This dynamic approach reduces system complexity by enabling direct communication when appropriate, while maintaining network management capabilities through configurable policies and centralized control when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If traditional 5G routing is used for inter-LAN communication, then network control and security are improved, but transmission efficiency and speed deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork controlVSAvoidtransmission speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing D2D sidelink connections between gateway UEs before actual data transmission occurs. This preliminary connection setup enables direct high-speed communication paths to be ready in advance, allowing rapid data exchange when geographically close LANs need to communicate, thereby improving transmission speed while maintaining network control through pre-configured security protocols

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3970398B1Method and apparatus for device-to-device interconnected local area network
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 TENCENT AMERICA LLC
  • EP3970398B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3970398B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3970398B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A method can include receiving member information from first member devices at a first gateway UE in a device-to-device (D2D) LAN. The D2D LAN can include a first sub-LAN and at least one second sub-LAN. The first sub-LAN can include the first gateway UE and the first member devices. Each of the second sub-LANs can include a second gateway UE and a set of second member devices. The first and second gateway UEs can be connected with sidelinks. The member information can indicate a first DEVICE ID associated with the respective first member device. A first member device list including the first DEVICE IDs of the first member devices can be updated based on the received member information. A first mapping update message including the updated first member device list and a first gateway ID of the first gateway UE can be broadcast to the second gateway UEs.