IAP Location Preloading for Faster Downlink Packet Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In mobile communication networks, the delay in resolving the location of a wireless device at an IP Announcement Point (IAP) leads to buffering of downlink packets, affecting transport protocols and user experience, particularly in anchorless/mobile service chaining architectures.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for preloading the location of a wireless device in a local cache at the IAP by using a Location Maintenance Node (LMN) to send preload commands to the IAP or Location Register, ensuring location information is available when downlink packets arrive.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the IAP queries the Location Register to resolve the location of a wireless device, then the location information can be obtained, but the packet processing delay increases and packets need to be buffered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation resolution accuracyVSAvoidpacket processing delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the IAP proactively query the Location Register and obtain location information before actual downlink packets arrive. This is achieved through a timer mechanism that triggers a location query when the IAP detects that a wireless device is in inactive state and packets are expected to arrive soon. By performing the location resolution in advance, the system eliminates the buffering delay that would occur if the query were performed only when packets actually arrived.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the IAP buffers downlink packets until location is resolved, then packets can be delivered correctly, but communication delay increases and user experience degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket delivery accuracyVSAvoidcommunication speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by resolving the location of the wireless device before packets need to be buffered. The IAP uses a timer mechanism to proactively query the Location Register when it detects that downlink packets are expected to arrive soon (when the device is in inactive state). This ensures that location information is already available when packets arrive, eliminating the need for buffering and thereby maintaining both reliability and high communication speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If the IAP performs location lookup only when packets arrive, then buffering is minimized, but location resolution delay affects transport protocol performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebuffered packetsVSAvoidlocation lookup delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the IAP perform location lookup in advance based on timer expiration or detection of inactive state, rather than waiting for packets to arrive. This proactive approach ensures that location information is already resolved when packets arrive, achieving both minimal buffering and zero location lookup delay for actual packet processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies periodic action through the use of a timer mechanism that periodically checks whether downlink packets are expected to arrive soon. When the timer expires or the inactive state is detected, the IAP triggers a location query. This periodic monitoring allows the system to balance between proactive location resolution (reducing delay) and avoiding unnecessary queries (reducing overhead).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3424241B1Reducing time required for location lookup when downlink packets arrive by assisting preloading of a location of a wireless device into the IP advertisement point (IAP)
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3424241B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3424241B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3424241B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5D

AI summary

It is provided a method for assisting preloading of a location of a wireless device in a mobile communication network. The method is performed in a communication tracker and comprises the steps of: receiving an uplink packet originating from the wireless device, the uplink packet comprising a source address and a destination address; determining whether a connection database comprises a matching entry corresponding to both the source address and the destination address; transmitting a new connection message when there is no matching entry in the connection database; and storing a new entry in the connection database, the new entry comprising both the source address and the destination address when there is no matching entry in the connection database.