Edge Cloud Gateway for Precise MEC Node Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 5G mobile communication networks face challenges in selecting the nearest Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) node for terminal scheduling, as existing IP positioning technologies have low precision and cannot accurately locate MEC nodes within a region, leading to increased latency and reduced processing rates.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of an edge cloud gateway integrated into the conventional DNS addressing process and HTTP DNS requesting process, which allows for the determination of a corresponding MEC processing server based on a preset offloading policy, enabling the selection of the nearest edge computing node without modifying the service logic or being perceived by the terminal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If IP positioning technology is used for MEC node selection, then the terminal can be scheduled to an MEC node, but the positioning precision is low and cannot accurately locate the nearest MEC node

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMEC node positioning precisionVSAvoidservice latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an edge cloud gateway as an intermediary component between the terminal and MEC nodes. The gateway intercepts HTTP service requests, extracts terminal location information, determines the nearest MEC node based on location data, and forwards requests to the appropriate MEC node. This intermediary mechanism enables precise MEC node selection without requiring modifications to terminal devices, thereby resolving the contradiction between positioning precision and service latency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the conventional DNS addressing process is modified to achieve MEC node selection, then the nearest edge computing node can be selected, but the existing networking procedure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMEC node selection accuracyVSAvoidnetworking procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The edge cloud gateway is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a DNS resolver and an MEC node selector. It integrates HTTP service request interception, terminal location information extraction, MEC node determination, and request forwarding capabilities into a single component. This universal design allows the gateway to perform multiple functions without requiring separate systems, thereby reducing overall system complexity while achieving accurate MEC node selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If a preset offloading policy is implemented for service request routing, then service requests can be efficiently offloaded to the nearest MEC processing server, but the policy configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice request processing rateVSAvoidoffloading policy configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring offloading policies that associate terminal location information with corresponding MEC node selection rules. The edge cloud gateway stores these policies in advance, allowing it to quickly determine the nearest MEC node without complex real-time calculations. This pre-configured approach enables efficient service request routing while simplifying the decision-making process, thereby improving processing rates without excessive configuration complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3968594B1Method, apparatus and system for selecting mobile edge computing node
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO LTD
  • EP3968594B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3968594B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3968594B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present application relates to the field of mobile communication, and in particular relates to a method, apparatus, and system for selecting a mobile edge computing node, the method comprising: an edge cloud gateway receiving a first HTTP service request forwarded by a user plane function, the target address of the first HTTP service request being an edge application VIP; on the basis of the first HTTP service request and a preset shunting policy, determining a corresponding MEC processing server, and shunting the first HTTP service request to the corresponding MEC processing server. As such, by means of a newly added edge cloud gateway, the problem in which there is still no MEC node selection scheme for 5G mobile communication networks is solved, and an edge computing node may be selected nearby, thus attaining the goal of edge acceleration.