GTP Tunnel Multiplexing for Wireless Packet Overhead Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, managing packets for multiple wireless devices becomes inefficient due to the overhead created by separate headers for each device, which could be allocated to other operations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where wireless access nodes and relay nodes multiplex data packets for multiple devices into a single GTP tunnel using GTP extension headers, allowing for efficient encapsulation and demultiplexing at network gateways, reducing the need for separate headers and tunnels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate GTP tunnels and headers are used for each wireless device, then individual device packet management is simplified, but network overhead increases and resource efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual GTP tunnels into a single shared GTP tunnel that carries packets for multiple wireless devices. The access node encapsulates packets from different devices into the same GTP tunnel with a single header, eliminating the need for separate headers for each device while maintaining the ability to identify and deliver packets to the correct destinations through device identifiers within the payload.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared GTP tunnel is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously by carrying packets for multiple wireless devices through a single tunnel instance. This universal tunnel structure replaces multiple device-specific tunnels, reducing overall overhead while maintaining the capability to handle individual device communications through logical separation within the shared infrastructure.
2Ease of operation
If separate headers are created for each device packet, then device-specific packet routing is simplified, but valuable network resources are consumed by overhead
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple device-specific headers are merged into a single shared GTP header that serves all devices. The header contains identification information that enables the network to route packets correctly while eliminating redundant header structures. This merging reduces the total amount of overhead data transmitted across the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential routing and identification information from individual device headers and consolidates it into a single shared header structure. By taking out only the necessary identification elements and removing redundant per-device header components, the system achieves efficient routing with minimized overhead.
3Ease of operation
If multiple GTP tunnels are maintained for different devices, then packet separation at the gateway is simplified, but tunnel management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway receives a single shared GTP tunnel instead of managing multiple separate tunnels. The tunnel contains packets from multiple devices, and the gateway uses identification information within the tunnel payload to separate and deliver packets to the appropriate destinations. This merging reduces the number of tunnel management operations required at the gateway.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and software described herein provide enhancements for data communications between a wireless access node and a wireless network gateway. In one implementation, a method of operating a wireless network includes, in the wireless access node, wirelessly receiving data packets for wireless communication devices, and encapsulating the data packets in GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) packets of a shared GTP tunnel for the plurality of wireless communication devices, wherein the GTP packets comprise GTP extension headers to multiplex the data packets in the GTP packets. The method further provides, in the wireless access node, transferring the GTP packets for delivery to a wireless network gateway, wherein the network gateway separates the data packets from the GTP packets based on the GTP extension headers.