Distributed SDN Packet Core for Heterogeneous Radio Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile network infrastructure faces challenges in providing seamless connectivity and scalability across heterogeneous radio access technologies, leading to fragmented user experiences due to rigid 3GPP EPC structures and complex inter-working between 3GPP and non-3GPP networks.
Innovation Solution
A distributed software defined network (SDN) packet core system is implemented, comprising a cloud-based centralized SDN infrastructure and local SDN infrastructure instances geographically proximate to radio access points, enabling unified management of multiple radio access technologies through RAT-specific and independent control-plane and data-plane modules, allowing for seamless roaming and scalable network expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a centralized 3GPP EPC structure is used, then network control and management are simplified, but scalability and adaptability to heterogeneous radio access technologies are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized EPC into distributed virtualized network functions (VNFs) deployed across multiple locations. Control plane functions are separated from user plane functions, allowing independent scaling and deployment. This segmentation enables the network to adapt to heterogeneous RATs while maintaining simplified control through virtualization orchestration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal virtualized network function framework that can serve multiple radio access technologies (3GPP and non-3GPP) through a common control plane. The SDN controller provides unified management across diverse RATs, while VNFs are designed to be multi-functional and adaptable to different access types, achieving both simplicity and versatility.
2Productivity
If network infrastructure is centralized in cloud data centers, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but network latency and backbone capacity consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deploys virtualized network functions at multiple local edges closer to users and radio access points, rather than concentrating all resources in centralized data centers. This local deployment reduces transmission latency and backbone capacity consumption for local traffic, while maintaining efficient resource utilization through shared VNF instances across the distributed infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a nested architecture where virtualized network functions are embedded within distributed network infrastructure elements. VNFs are nested within SDN controllers that are themselves nested within the broader 5G core network architecture, allowing layered optimization where local edge functions handle time-sensitive traffic while centralized orchestration manages overall resource efficiency.
3Reliability
If separate network infrastructures are deployed for 3GPP and non-3GPP access types, then network performance for each access type is optimized, but device complexity and inter-working complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an SDN controller as an intermediary layer between diverse radio access networks and the core network functions. The SDN controller abstracts the complexity of inter-working between 3GPP and non-3GPP access types, providing unified policy management, mobility management, and resource allocation while allowing each access type to maintain its optimized performance characteristics through VNF-specific configurations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A distributed software defined network (SDN) packet core system is configured to support a plurality of radio access technologies. The distributed SDN packet core system can include a cloud-based SDN centralized infrastructure instance and a plurality of local SDN infrastructure instances distributed in proximity to wireless access networks and radio access points thereof. The cloud-based centralized SDN infrastructure instance can be configured to handle network operations that are not latency sensitive. Each local SDN infrastructure instance can include a plurality of computer devices configured to execute a plurality of RAT specific control-plane modules and a plurality of RAT independent packet processing modules for performing latency sensitive network operations.