Gateway MPTCP Flow Mapping for Concurrent LTE WiFi Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multiple-access packet data network (PDN) connectivity and Internet Protocol (IP) flow mobility techniques only allow a single radio technology to be used for a given IP connection, limiting simultaneous use of multiple radio technologies like 3GPP LTE and WiFi for IP flows.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method to map multi-path transport control protocol (MPTCP) flows to both 3GPP EPS bearers and WiFi access points, enabling concurrent delivery of TCP sub-flows over multiple EPS bearers via different access networks, using techniques like MAPCON and IFOM to manage IP flows across multiple radio technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional MAPCON or IFOM techniques are used, then a single radio technology can be used for a given IP connection, but multiple radio technologies cannot be used simultaneously for the same IP connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the MPTCP connection into multiple independent MPTCP flows, where each flow can be independently mapped to different EPS bearers. This segmentation allows the system to utilize multiple radio technologies simultaneously by assigning different segments (flows) to different access networks (3GPP LTE and WiFi), thereby resolving the contradiction between single-radio limitation and multi-radio capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal flow mapping mechanism in the PGW that can handle both traditional single-radio IP connections and multi-radio MPTCP connections through the same infrastructure. The PGW is enhanced to support mapping MPTCP flows to multiple EPS bearers while maintaining compatibility with conventional MAPCON and IFOM techniques, achieving multi-functionality without requiring separate systems.
2Productivity
If multiple EPS bearers are used for MPTCP flows, then concurrent delivery over multiple radio technologies is enabled, but the network infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary flow mapping mechanism within the PGW that acts as a mediator between MPTCP flows and EPS bearers. This intermediary component receives MPTCP flows, intelligently maps them to appropriate EPS bearers based on radio technology availability and flow characteristics, and manages the concurrent delivery. By placing this intelligent mapping function at the gateway level, the complexity is centralized and managed efficiently, enabling high productivity without proportionally increasing overall network complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A gateway network element includes a memory and at least one processor. The memory is configured to store a program routine or module. The at least one processor is configured, by executing the program routine or module, to: map a first multi-path transport control protocol (MPTCP) flow to a first evolved packet system (EPS) bearer associated with a first serving base station for the user; map a second MPTCP flow to a second EPS bearer associated with a WiFi access point for the user, each of the first and second MPTCP flows corresponding to a same MPTCP connection for an application; output the first MPTCP flow on the first EPS bearer for delivery to the user through the first serving base station; and output the second MPTCP flow on the second EPS bearer for delivery to the user through the WiFi access point.