Ethernet Header Transformation for Cellular IP Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for enabling Ethernet communication over cellular networks using IP transport, such as LTE bearers, incur transmission and operational overhead due to encapsulation and tunnel management, and are not universally supported in 4G and 5G networks.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that transform Ethernet frames to IP data packets and vice versa using a header transformation table, removing Ethernet headers and reconstructing them as needed, with IPv6 headers carrying dynamic information to maintain efficient communication over IP transport, reducing overhead and supporting Ethernet communication between industrial devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Ethernet frames are encapsulated in IP packets using tunneling, then Ethernet communication can be enabled over cellular networks, but transmission overhead increases due to encapsulation headers and operational overhead increases due to tunnel management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential Ethernet header information (source and destination MAC addresses) and places it in IPv6 extension headers, rather than encapsulating the entire Ethernet frame. This selective extraction reduces the amount of data that needs to be transmitted and processed, thereby reducing transmission overhead while maintaining Ethernet communication functionality over cellular networks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the Ethernet frame processing into two parts: the essential header information is extracted and placed in IPv6 extension headers, while the payload is transmitted as-is. This segmentation allows the system to maintain Ethernet communication capability without the full overhead of traditional encapsulation, reducing both transmission and operational overhead
2Adaptability or versatility
If Ethernet frames are encapsulated in IP packets using tunneling, then Ethernet communication can be enabled over cellular networks, but device complexity increases due to tunnel configuration and management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for complex tunnel configuration by extracting only the necessary Ethernet header fields and embedding them directly in IPv6 extension headers. This eliminates the need for separate tunnel setup, maintenance, and management procedures, thereby reducing device complexity while still enabling Ethernet communication over cellular networks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the IPv6 protocol multi-functional by using its extension headers to carry both standard IP routing information and Ethernet frame header information. This universal approach allows a single protocol (IPv6) to handle both cellular network routing and Ethernet frame delivery without requiring separate tunneling mechanisms, reducing operational and configuration overhead
Data Source
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AI summary
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure Ethernet communication over IP transport is enabled. The following is performed: Ethernet communication for transmitting and receiving Ethernet frames; IP communication for transmitting and receiving IP data packets over a cellular network; transforming Ethernet frames to IP data packets and vice versa for enabling Ethernet communication over IP transport; and maintaining a header transformation table between Ethernet and IP traffic flows. The transforming comprises using the header transformation table and performing header transformation by removing Ethernet headers from received Ethernet frames and including Ethernet payload in IP data packets, and by reconstructing Ethernet headers for received IP data packets for transmission of payload from the IP data packets in Ethernet frames, wherein the transforming comprises using IPv6 headers of IP data packets to carry dynamic information from the removed Ethernet headers.