ICN-Enabled LTE Architecture for Efficient Mobile Content Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LTE networks rely heavily on IP as the transport protocol, which is inefficient for application layer content delivery due to redundant resource usage and limited frequency spectrums, especially in high-volume content delivery to mobile devices, and current multicast and broadcast technologies are not optimally deployed.
Innovation Solution
Implementing Information Centric Networking (ICN) in LTE architecture by integrating ICN protocols in user equipment, base stations, and evolved packet cores, using a dual stack protocol with IP, and incorporating forwarding agents and header compression to optimize content delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If IP protocol is used for content delivery in LTE networks, then network infrastructure compatibility is maintained, but content delivery efficiency deteriorates due to redundant resource usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of data identification from IP address-based to content name-based. This allows the network to identify and route data based on content characteristics rather than destination addresses, enabling efficient multicast delivery and eliminating redundant resource usage while maintaining compatibility with existing LTE infrastructure through dual-stack protocol support
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dual-stack architecture where both IP and ICN protocols coexist in the network. This allows the system to copy the successful IP infrastructure while overlaying ICN capabilities, enabling efficient content delivery for supported applications while maintaining backward compatibility with existing IP-based services
2Productivity
If ICN protocol is implemented in LTE networks, then content delivery efficiency is improved through persistent resource names and caching, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network functionality by implementing ICN protocols at specific network elements (forwarding agents, caching nodes) rather than requiring end-to-end modification of all network components. This allows ICN features to be deployed modularly in the core network while keeping terminal equipment relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the ICN implementation to serve multiple functions simultaneously: content routing, caching, resource allocation, and quality of service management. By consolidating these functions into unified network elements, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate mechanisms for each function
3Adaptability or versatility
If dual stack protocol with IP and ICN is used, then legacy IP functionality is maintained, but protocol processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic protocol selection where the network automatically determines whether to use IP or ICN based on content type, network conditions, and application requirements. This dynamic switching capability allows the system to adapt to different scenarios without requiring manual configuration, reducing the operational complexity of managing dual protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary forwarding agents that act as translators between IP and ICN protocols. These intermediaries handle the complexity of protocol conversion and routing decisions, shielding end devices from the intricacies of dual-stack operation and simplifying the overall system architecture
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In one embodiment, a mobile network includes at least one Information Centric Networking (ICN) enabled mobile base station configured to support ICN transport protocol, and at least one ICN enabled evolved packet core (EPC) device configured to support ICN transport protocol, where the ICN enabled EPC device is operative to assign an ICN based identity to a user equipment (UE) according to an attach request, wherein the attach request indicates that the UE supports the ICN transport protocol.