Edge Caching in Mobile Telecommunications Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile telecommunications networks face challenges in managing increasing bandwidth demand due to rising data traffic, leading to service degradation and high operational costs, with existing architectures being hierarchical, expensive to scale, and lacking intelligent local routing or processing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a novel platform at the network edge with a General Purpose Hardware Platform to split Radio Network Controller and NodeB functions between hardware and software, enabling data caching and intelligent routing decisions, while maintaining core network services like Lawful Interception and charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data traffic volume increases to meet user demand, then service coverage and user satisfaction improve, but network operational costs and infrastructure expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local content caching at radio access network nodes (eNodeB) and edge locations, allowing frequently accessed content to be stored locally rather than being repeatedly transmitted through the core network. This local quality enhancement reduces backhaul traffic and operational costs while maintaining high data availability for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary content caching and pre-positioning of data at edge locations and radio access nodes before actual user requests occur. This preliminary action reduces the need for repeated core network transmissions, lowering operational costs while maintaining high productivity in serving user data demands.
2Stability of the object's composition
If network architecture remains hierarchical with proprietary hardware, then device compatibility and standardization are maintained, but scalability and adaptability to new capabilities deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network functionality by separating content caching and delivery functions from the core network hierarchy, placing them at radio access nodes and edge locations. This segmentation allows the core hierarchical architecture to remain stable while enabling flexible addition of caching capabilities and new services at the edge without requiring proprietary hardware changes throughout the entire network.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements universal content caching capabilities at radio access nodes that can serve multiple functions: local content delivery, traffic optimization, and support for various service types. This multi-functionality enhances adaptability and scalability without compromising the stability of the underlying hierarchical network architecture.
3Speed
If content is cached locally at radio access network, then data delivery speed and latency are improved, but network traffic management complexity and synchronization requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the radio access nodes report cached content status and traffic patterns to the network controller, which adjusts caching strategies and content synchronization accordingly. This feedback loop manages the complexity of local caching by automating coordination and synchronization, maintaining high data delivery speed without overwhelming manual management overhead.
4Reliability
If core network services are maintained for all traffic, then service reliability and security are preserved, but network traffic volume and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts frequently accessed content from core network traffic flows and caches it locally at radio access nodes and edge locations. This extraction reduces the volume of traffic that must traverse the core network while maintaining service reliability through distributed caching and selective core network engagement for non-cached content.
Data Source
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AI summary
A mobile telecommunications network includes: a core network (2020) having content processing means (2055) operable to provide a core network service relating to content, and a radio access network (700, 2003) having radio means for wireless communication with a terminal (10) registered with the telecommunications network, wherein the radio access network (700, 2003) includes a local source of content (1100), wherein the telecommunications network is arranged to provide the content processing means (2055) core network service in relation to the content of the local source (1100), and wherein synchronisation means is provided to synchronise the provision of core network service in relation to the content of the local source (1100) with communications with the terminal (10).