GTP Tunnel Redirection via Edge Caching in Mobile Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Terrestrial mobile communication networks face challenges in delivering content efficiently due to high bandwidth demands, leading to increased latency and degraded user experience, particularly in scenarios where base stations handle numerous GTP tunnels exceeding backhaul and core network capacity.
Innovation Solution
Redirect selected GTP tunnels towards a local content server coupled to the access network, intercepting packets at an edge gateway and serving content from the local server instead of the core network, using redirection criteria based on packet attributes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If content is delivered through core network via GTP tunnels, then network coverage and connectivity are maintained, but latency increases and throughput decreases due to backhaul and core network capacity constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the content delivery path by introducing local content servers at edge gateways that can independently serve content requests without traversing the entire core network. This segmentation allows content to be delivered through shorter, dedicated paths while maintaining the overall network architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to content delivery by distributing content servers across multiple edge gateways in different geographic locations. This dimensional change enables content to be delivered from the nearest edge server rather than from a centralized core network, reducing latency and improving speed.
2Loss of time
If local content servers are introduced at edge gateways, then latency is reduced and throughput is improved, but network architecture complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-positioning content at edge gateways before requests arrive. Content is cached and prepared at local servers in advance, so when a request comes in, delivery can begin immediately without waiting for core network retrieval, thus reducing latency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (edge gateway with local content server) between the user device and the core network. This intermediary handles content delivery requests locally, reducing the need for core network involvement and thereby reducing latency while managing complexity through a dedicated intermediate component.
3Productivity
If GTP tunnel redirection is implemented, then core network load is reduced, but packet processing complexity at edge gateway increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the content delivery function from the core network and places it at the edge gateway. By taking out this specific function, the core network is relieved of the load associated with content delivery traffic, while the edge gateway assumes responsibility for handling these requests locally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by allowing edge gateways to independently handle content delivery requests without requiring core network intervention. The local content servers autonomously process requests, manage caching, and deliver content, reducing the processing burden on the core network while increasing edge gateway autonomy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for content delivery includes, in an edge gateway (64) coupled to an access network, intercepting packets that are communicated over a network tunnel between a user device (24) and a core network (36) for delivering content from a remote content server to the user device. The network tunnel is redirected toward a local content server (60) coupled to the access network. The content is delivered to the user device from the local content server over the redirected network tunnel.