Intermediate Node Selective Traffic Processing in xHaul Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transport networks face challenges in accommodating the conflicting requirements of reducing the number of sites while meeting stringent 5G bandwidth and latency demands, particularly in xHaul networks where latency-critical traffic limits the distance between nodes, penalizing non-latency critical traffic.
Innovation Solution
An intermediate node is introduced in the transport network to selectively process traffic flows based on responsiveness requirements, allowing latency-critical traffic to be handled without necessitating closer node placement, thereby increasing the distance between remote access nodes and central hub nodes while ensuring timely processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the distance between remote access nodes and central hub nodes is reduced to meet latency requirements for 5G traffic flows, then latency requirements are satisfied, but the geographical reach and flexibility of the transport network is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transport network into multiple hierarchical levels: remote access nodes, intermediate nodes, and central hub nodes. This segmentation allows latency-critical traffic to be processed at intermediate nodes closer to remote access nodes, while non-latency-critical traffic can traverse longer distances to central hub nodes, thus resolving the contradiction between latency requirements and geographical reach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate nodes as mediators between remote access nodes and central hub nodes. These intermediate nodes selectively process traffic flows based on responsiveness requirements, enabling latency-critical traffic to be handled locally while allowing the overall network to maintain extended geographical reach for non-latency-critical traffic.
2Device complexity
If a common transport infrastructure is used for all traffic flows in xHaul networks, then network simplicity and cost are reduced, but latency-critical traffic performance is degraded due to shared resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments traffic flows into latency-critical and non-latency-critical categories, and segments the network infrastructure into intermediate nodes and central hub nodes. This segmentation enables differentiated handling where latency-critical traffic receives priority processing at intermediate nodes, while maintaining a relatively simple common transport infrastructure for overall network operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by enabling intermediate nodes to selectively process specific traffic flows based on their responsiveness requirements. This allows different parts of the network infrastructure to have different functional characteristics - intermediate nodes handle latency-critical traffic with priority, while central hub nodes handle non-latency-critical traffic, thus resolving the contradiction between infrastructure simplicity and latency performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If the number of sites is reduced to lower deployment costs, then cost efficiency improves, but the ability to meet stringent 5G bandwidth and latency demands is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes intermediate nodes multi-functional by enabling them to selectively process both latency-critical and non-latency-critical traffic flows. This universality allows a single intermediate node to serve multiple purposes, reducing the need for separate specialized infrastructure and thereby lowering deployment costs while maintaining the ability to meet 5G requirements for latency-critical traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic traffic flow processing at intermediate nodes, where the processing behavior adapts based on the responsiveness requirements of incoming traffic. This dynamic capability allows the network to efficiently handle diverse 5G traffic types with a reduced number of sites, improving cost efficiency without compromising the ability to meet stringent 5G demands.
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
An intermediate node (203) for a transport network (200) is configured such that traffic flows between at least one remote access node (201) and a central hub node (202) pass via the intermediate node (203). The intermediate node (203) is configured to selectively process a traffic flow depending on a responsiveness requirement of the traffic flow.