Common Gateway Support Node for Heterogeneous Packet Radio Networks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packet radio communications systems, such as GPRS, face challenges in accommodating the rapid growth of internet protocol data traffic and services, requiring enhanced flexibility and efficiency in managing internet protocol-based communications.

Innovation Solution

A packet radio communications system is designed with a core network and radio access networks connected via an internet protocol transport plane, utilizing a common gateway support node to establish communications bearers across packet data networks, including standardized and non-standardized GPRS components, and supporting heterogeneous radio access networks to facilitate internet protocol-based services.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single standardized packet data network is used, then network management is simplified, but the system cannot accommodate diverse telecommunications standards and radio access technologies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for multiple telecommunications standardsVSAvoidnetwork architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into multiple packet data networks (2G, 3G, 4G) that can operate according to different telecommunications standards, with a common gateway support node that provides unified management. This segmentation allows each network to maintain its standard-specific characteristics while the overall system achieves multi-standard support through the gateway's coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The common gateway support node serves multiple functions: it manages bearers across different packet data networks, provides unified control for heterogeneous radio access networks, and enables single-signon access. This multi-functional design allows a single network element to handle diverse standards without requiring separate management systems for each.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple heterogeneous radio access networks are supported, then adaptability to different access technologies is improved, but control and management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for heterogeneous radio access networksVSAvoidcontrol and management ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The common gateway support node acts as an intermediary between the heterogeneous radio access networks and the core packet data networks. It provides a unified interface for bearer establishment and management, translating between different network requirements and standards. This intermediary function simplifies control by abstracting the complexity of multiple access technologies behind a single management point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway support node provides universal control capabilities that work across all radio access network types (2G, 3G, 4G). It implements single-signon functionality that allows a user to authenticate once and access services across multiple access technologies, and provides unified bearer management that simplifies the control plane despite the diversity of access networks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If separate gateway nodes are used for each packet data network, then network control is simplified, but the system cannot provide unified single-signon access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingle-signon access capabilityVSAvoidgateway node structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple gateway functions for different packet data networks (2G, 3G, 4G) are merged into a single common gateway support node. This unified structure consolidates bearer management, authentication, and control functions across all networks, enabling single-signon access where a user authenticates once and gains access to services across multiple access technologies without requiring separate gateway nodes for each network type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8570936B2Packet radio communications system

Publication Date: 2013.10.29 3G LICENSING SA

AI summary

A packet radio communications system communicates internet packets to and/or from mobile user equipment. The system comprises a core network comprising a plurality of packet data networks, each including network communications elements operable to communicate internet packets using an internet protocol transport plane, and a common gateway support node. The gateway support node is operable to route the internet packets via communications bearers established through the packet data networks using the network communications elements. The system includes a plurality of radio access networks connected by the internet protocol transport plane to the core network components of the packet data networks for communicating the internet protocol packets to and/or from the mobile user equipment. Each of the radio access networks is operable to provide radio access bearers for communicating the internet packets to and/or from the mobile user equipment.