Distributed Gateway Architecture Using LISP for 3GPP Mobility

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Solution Overview

Problem

The 3GPP network architecture faces inefficiencies due to the use of anchor points, specifically the serving gateway (S-GW) and packet gateway (P-GW), which are often located far from radio access network nodes, leading to bandwidth usage inefficiencies and increased communication latency as traffic must traverse these distant gateways before reaching its destination.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a distributed gateway architecture using the Location Identifier Separation Protocol (LISP) to enable mobility within the 3GPP network without the need for anchor points, by distributing data plane functions of S-GW and P-GW closer to eNodeB nodes and utilizing LISP for routing, allowing packets to be forwarded directly between devices without intermediate tunneling through distant S-GW and P-GW.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If anchor points (S-GW and P-GW) are used to facilitate UE mobility, then mobility management is enabled, but bandwidth utilization deteriorates and communication latency increases due to distant gateway locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility managementVSAvoidbandwidth utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the gateway functions into control plane functions (S-GW-C and P-GW-C) that remain centralized, and data plane functions (S-GW-u and P-GW-u) that are distributed to eNodeBs. This segmentation allows mobility management to be maintained centrally while data transmission occurs locally, resolving the contradiction between reliable mobility management and efficient bandwidth utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimensional approach by implementing distributed data plane gateways at the edge (eNodeBs) while maintaining centralized control plane gateways. This creates a multi-layered architecture where control and data planes operate in different spatial dimensions, enabling both reliable mobility management and efficient local data transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If anchor points (S-GW and P-GW) are used to facilitate UE mobility, then mobility management is enabled, but communication latency increases due to traffic traversal through distant gateways

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility managementVSAvoidcommunication latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting gateway functions into control and data planes, the patent enables mobility management signals to traverse centralized gateways while data traffic flows directly between eNodeBs, eliminating unnecessary latency for data transmission while preserving reliable mobility management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses LISP as an intermediary protocol that enables direct routing between eNodeBs based on endpoint identifiers, bypassing the need for traffic to physically traverse through distant centralized gateways while maintaining the gateways as logical anchors for mobility management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If distributed gateway architecture is implemented using LISP, then bandwidth utilization improves and latency reduces, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidgateway architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the data plane gateway functions from the centralized core network and places them at the edge eNodeBs. This extraction simplifies the core network architecture while distributing intelligence to the edge, improving bandwidth utilization without requiring complex changes throughout the entire network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes eNodeBs multi-functional by enabling them to perform both radio access functions and distributed data plane gateway functions. This universality allows existing eNodeB infrastructure to be leveraged for distributed gateway operations, reducing the need for additional complex devices while improving network efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11038716B2Using location identifier separation protocol to implement a distributed gateway architecture for 3GPP mobility

Publication Date: 2021.06.15 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A method implemented by a network device in a cellular communication network with a distributed data plane serving gateway (S-GWu) at an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) node B (eNodeB). The method enables an ingress tunnel router to forward traffic between devices connected to the cellular communication network via location identifier separation protocol (LISP) to enable mobility within the cellular communication network without anchor points.