Inband Data Channel for Mobile Network Node Communication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The exchange of information between nodes in a mobile network, particularly between a Radio Access Network (RAN) node and external nodes, is challenging due to network addressability issues, as RAN nodes often have non-routable private IP addresses, making direct communication difficult.
Innovation Solution
The method involves 'disguising' data packets carrying information destined for the RAN node as normal user data packets by modifying protocol headers or inserting data into existing data packets, allowing these packets to be transmitted through the network without requiring changes to intermediate nodes or using a routable address, thus forming an inband data channel transparent to the packet core.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a RAN node uses a private non-routable IP address for internal network communication, then network security and address management within the mobile network is improved, but the node cannot be directly addressed by external nodes, making information exchange difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the user data packets as an intermediary carrier to transmit control information. Instead of directly addressing the RAN node, external nodes send information embedded in user data packets that are routed through the core network to the RAN node. The RAN node identifies and extracts its intended information from these packets without requiring a routable address.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges control information exchange with user data transmission. Control messages are combined with user data packets, allowing the RAN node to receive both user data and control information through the same communication channel, eliminating the need for separate addressing mechanisms.
2Loss of information
If control information is transmitted separately from user data, then communication clarity is improved, but network complexity and the need for additional addressing mechanisms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines control information with user data packets in the same transmission channel. Control messages are embedded within or alongside user data, allowing both types of information to be transmitted together without requiring separate communication paths or additional addressing infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The user data packet serves multiple functions: it carries user data for the ultimate destination and simultaneously serves as a carrier for control information destined for the RAN node. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated control channels and simplifies the overall network architecture.
3Ease of operation
If the RAN node intercepts user data packets to extract control information, then direct communication without address changes is achieved, but processing overhead and packet inspection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses packet marking or tagging mechanisms to identify control information packets. Special markers or flags are inserted into packets containing control information, allowing the RAN node to quickly identify and extract control messages without performing deep packet inspection, reducing processing overhead while maintaining ease of communication setup.
Data Source
AI summary
For transmitting data between a node (100) of a mobile network and a further node (200), the further node sends downlink data packets to the node (100) of the mobile network. The downlink data packets carry a destination address corresponding to a user equipment (10) connected to the mobile network. For implementing an inband data channel between the node (100) of the mobile network and the further node (200), the further node (200) inserts data destined to the node (100) of the mobile network into at least one of the downlink data packets and marks this downlink data packet as including data destined to the node (100) of the mobile network. The node (100) of the mobile network receives the downlink data packets from the further node (200) and identities, on the basis of the marking, the least one downlink data packet including data destined to the node (100) of the mobile network. The node (100) of the mobile network then extracts the data from the identified downlink data packet. A corresponding inband data channel may also be used in the uplink direction.