Gateway Data Packet Multiplexing for VoLTE Bandwidth Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for transmitting data packets in VoLTE networks are inefficient due to large overhead bytes from encapsulating protocols, particularly on bandwidth-limited links, which complicates the multiplexing process and increases processing requirements.

Innovation Solution

The method involves extracting information from existing data packet headers for multiplexing, allowing for efficient selection and transmission of data packets without adding extra overhead, thereby maintaining part of the header in the multiplexed packet to ensure information availability at the receiving gateway.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If traditional circuit switched networks are used for voice traffic, then voice transmission is reliable, but bandwidth efficiency is poor due to large overhead bytes from encapsulating protocols

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth efficiencyVSAvoidoverhead processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple individual data packets are merged into a single multiplexed packet, combining several payloads under one set of protocol headers. This reduces the total overhead bytes significantly, as the encapsulating protocols are shared across multiple packets rather than repeated for each packet individually.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multiplexed packet structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it carries multiple different payloads from different sources, maintains protocol compatibility with existing network infrastructure, and optimizes bandwidth utilization. The single multiplexed packet replaces multiple individual packets while maintaining the essential functions of each original packet.

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

2Productivity

If information is extracted from existing data packet headers for multiplexing, then processing requirements are reduced, but information availability for transmission may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultiplexing processing efficiencyVSAvoidtransmission information availability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The necessary information for multiplexing is extracted and prepared in advance from the existing packet headers before the multiplexing process begins. This preliminary extraction of source address, destination address, and payload type information allows the multiplexing operation to proceed efficiently without requiring additional processing during packet assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a multiplex header as an intermediary structure that carries the essential information extracted from original packet headers. This multiplex header serves as a mediator that consolidates the necessary transmission information in a compact format, making it available for the multiplexing process while reducing the overall information overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If multiplexing of multiple data packets is implemented, then bandwidth consumption is optimized, but additional processing at the transmitting gateway is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth consumptionVSAvoidgateway processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential information fields from the original data packet headers that are needed for multiplexing operations. By taking out only the necessary elements (source address, destination address, payload type) and leaving out redundant information, the processing complexity at the gateway is minimized while still achieving effective multiplexing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by performing multiplexing only on the essential components of data packets rather than processing entire packets in full detail. This selective approach to multiplexing reduces the processing burden at the gateway while still achieving the primary goal of bandwidth optimization through consolidated transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2667656B1Method and system for transmitting data packets between at least one transmitting and one receiving gateway of a communications network
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 VODAFONE GMBH
  • EP2667656B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2667656B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2667656B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for transmitting data packets over an interface (16) between at least one transmitting gateway (13, 130, 14, 140) and at least one receiving gateway (13, 130, 14, 140) of a communications network, wherein one gateway (13, 130) is comprised by an access point (13) to a core network (10) and comprises radio resource management functionalities, one gateway (14, 140)is comprised by a serving gateway (14) of the core network (10) and the core network (10) is a packet oriented mobile data network and the interface (16) is an interface for user plane tunnelling. The method is characterized in that the method comprises extracting information from at least one header of at least one of the data packet received at the transmitting gateway (13, 130, 14, 140), using said extracted information for transmission of the at least one data packet, wherein the transmission includes multiplexing of at least two data packets including at least part of the headers of the received data packets. Furthermore a corresponding system is described.