Encapsulated Sub-Networks for 5G Network Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
5G communication networks face challenges in providing flexible and reliable communication services that meet diverse application requirements, such as high data throughput, low latency, and mobility, while maintaining resource efficiency and user trust in highly heterogeneous environments.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a communication network architecture with encapsulated sub-networks and function managers that allow for dynamic management of network functions, enabling flexible resource allocation and isolation of potentially unstable components, thereby enhancing network stability and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network functions are dynamically managed in highly heterogeneous environments to support diverse applications, then adaptability and resource efficiency improve, but network stability and reliability deteriorate due to potential instabilities from third-party code and diverse requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into multiple sub-networks (network slices) that are logically separated but physically coexist on shared infrastructure. Each slice can be independently managed, configured, and isolated, allowing diverse applications to run in separate environments with different requirements while preventing failures in one slice from affecting others. This segmentation enables both high adaptability for diverse applications and maintained stability through isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nested virtualization where virtual network functions are embedded within sub-networks, which themselves are embedded within the broader 5G network infrastructure. This nested structure allows multiple levels of abstraction and isolation, enabling third-party code and diverse applications to operate in innermost layers while outer layers maintain overall network stability and control.
2Productivity
If network resources are dynamically allocated to meet diverse application requirements, then resource efficiency improves, but network complexity increases due to heterogeneous environments and multiple sub-networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates universal network functions and management mechanisms that can operate across all sub-networks and heterogeneous environments. The network slice management apparatus and resource allocation mechanisms are designed to be platform-agnostic and application-agnostic, providing unified control planes that simplify complexity while enabling efficient resource allocation across diverse technologies and applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The network implements dynamic resource allocation where network functions and resources can be flexibly assigned, scaled, and reconfigured based on real-time requirements. Virtual network functions can be dynamically instantiated, migrated, and terminated across different sub-networks, allowing efficient resource utilization while the underlying infrastructure maintains standardized interfaces that prevent complexity from proliferating.
3Adaptability or versatility
If third-party code and external applications are integrated into the network, then adaptability and functionality improve, but security and reliability worsen due to potential instabilities and lack of control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts third-party code and external applications into isolated sub-networks or network slices that are separated from the core network infrastructure. These external elements are 'taken out' of the main network control plane and placed in dedicated containers or virtualized environments where they can operate with limited privileges and restricted access, maintaining functionality while preventing instabilities from propagating to the core network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary management layers and abstraction interfaces between third-party code and the core network. These intermediaries act as mediators that translate external application requirements into standardized network operations, enforce security policies, and provide controlled access to network resources, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling diverse functionality.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a communication network (300, 400) with a plurality of subnetworks, wherein at least one subnetwork (310) comprises: an encapsulated sub-subnetwork (320) which is arranged in a communication-technically encapsulated manner within the subnetwork (310); a first network entity (321) which is configured to execute a first network function of the subnetwork (320), wherein the first network entity (321) is arranged within the sub-subnetwork (320); and a function manager (330) which is configured to manage the execution of the first network function by the first network entity (321) in the encapsulated sub-subnetwork (320).