eNB CDN Caching for 5G Broadcast Backhaul Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

As the demand for content delivery to mobile devices increases, existing technologies face challenges in efficiently broadcasting content to a growing number of user equipment in mobile communication networks, particularly in supporting multimedia broadcast multicast services and integrating with content delivery networks for improved quality of experience and backhaul transmission savings.

Innovation Solution

The method involves a network access node receiving messages from a broadcast coordination entity, caching content locally, and sending it to user equipment, while also managing system information through a broadcast control channel, integrating with a content delivery network to optimize content delivery and support both real-time and non-real-time services in 5G mobile networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If content is broadcast to multiple UEs over mobile communication network, then content delivery capability is improved, but network load and backhaul transmission increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent delivery capabilityVSAvoidbackhaul transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements content pre-caching at the network access node before actual content delivery requests. The network access node receives and stores content from the content delivery network in advance, so that when UEs request content, it can be delivered locally without requiring backhaul transmission. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repeated backhaul transmissions for the same content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces CDN caching functionality directly at the network access node (eNB), creating a local content storage capability at the edge of the network. This local caching mechanism allows the network access node to serve multiple UEs with cached content independently, reducing dependency on the core network and backhaul links for content delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If number of UEs in mobile communication network increases, then network coverage and service capability are improved, but content broadcasting efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidcontent broadcasting efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the content delivery function by introducing CDN caching at the network access node, separating content storage and delivery from the core network. This segmentation allows the network to handle increasing numbers of UEs at the edge without proportionally increasing core network load, as cached content can be served locally to multiple UEs simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of energy

If content is cached locally at network access node, then backhaul transmission is reduced, but network access node complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackhaul transmissionVSAvoidnetwork access node
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the network access node multi-functional by integrating CDN caching capabilities into the existing eNB architecture. The network access node simultaneously performs its traditional functions (radio access, scheduling, resource allocation) and content delivery functions (content caching, content broadcasting). This universal design reduces the need for separate dedicated content caching infrastructure.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3342196B1MBMS architecture with CDN caching in enb
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3342196B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3342196B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3342196B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In an aspect, a method for a network access node for broadcasting content includes receiving a message from a broadcast coordination entity, the message including information associated with content to be broadcasted to one or more user equipments (UEs), caching the content locally at the network access node, and sending the cached content to the one or more UEs.