Distributed Network Functional Modules for Latency Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile communication networks face bottlenecks due to increased demand from user devices and IoT devices, leading to latency and reduced performance as cloud-based core network resources become overwhelmed, causing delays that affect user experience.
Innovation Solution
User devices are enabled to function as service nodes, utilizing spare computational and network capacity to perform service functions closer to terminals, reducing latency and increasing network capacity by distributing service functions and allowing for rapid transfer between devices in case of overload or failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cloud-based core network resources are used to handle increased demand from user devices and IoT devices, then network service coverage and functionality are improved, but network latency increases and performance deteriorates due to resource bottlenecks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized cloud-based core network functions into distributed network functional modules that can be executed on multiple user devices. This segmentation allows service functions to be performed locally or near-terminal, reducing the distance data must travel and thereby decreasing network latency while maintaining service coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of network architecture by enabling user devices to function as service nodes. This transforms the traditional centralized cloud architecture into a multi-dimensional distributed architecture where computation and service delivery occur across multiple spatial dimensions (centralized cloud, edge servers, and end-user devices), reducing latency without sacrificing service coverage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cloud-based core network resources are concentrated to provide comprehensive services, then network functionality is improved, but network capacity becomes overwhelmed leading to reduced performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments comprehensive network functionality into modular network functional modules that can be independently selected and executed on user devices based on specific service requirements. This segmentation allows the network to provide comprehensive functionality through combinations of modules distributed across multiple devices, preventing any single point from becoming overwhelmed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables user devices to perform multiple network service functions by executing different network functional modules. A single user device can serve as a service node for multiple different functions (e.g., packet routing, authentication, billing), distributing the processing load across many devices and maintaining high network capacity while providing comprehensive functionality.
3Device complexity
If service functions are centralized in cloud-based core network, then network management is simplified, but network robustness decreases due to single points of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by creating redundant network functional modules that can be pre-positioned on multiple user devices. When a failure occurs, alternative modules on other devices can immediately take over, providing fault tolerance and robustness without significantly increasing management complexity through automated failover mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments centralized network management functions into distributed network functional modules that can operate autonomously on user devices. This segmentation inherently improves robustness by eliminating single points of failure, while management complexity is maintained through standardized module interfaces and centralized orchestration of the distributed modules.
4Loss of time
If network functional modules are distributed to user devices for local execution, then network latency is reduced and capacity increased, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by enabling user devices to execute only specific network functional modules relevant to their capabilities and service requirements, rather than requiring full network functionality on each device. This selective execution reduces the computational burden and power consumption on individual devices while still achieving the overall benefits of distributed processing for network latency reduction.
Data Source
AI summary
Example techniques described herein can provision network functional modules for execution in trusted execution environments of portable computing devices. A monitoring application of a portable computing device can validate a trusted execution environment of the portable computing device, determine a present operational capacity of the portable computing device, and transmit indications of the validation and the present operational capacity to a control node via an authenticated connection. The application can detect a remote computing device on one network and determine that the remote device has a trusted execution environment. The application can report the computing device to the control node on another network. A network functional module can receive a request and determine that the portable computing device cannot perform an operation of the request. The module can select another computing device and transmit an indication of the operation to the selected computing device via an authenticated connection.