IRF Server Engine Scalable Control Plane Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 3GPP communication model for wireless telecommunication networks has a complex control plane with limited evolution, leading to increased complexity and difficulty in rolling out new features and supporting multiple interfaces and protocols, which hinders scalability and agility.
Innovation Solution
An interconnection and routing function (IRF) is introduced to provide a scalable and efficient control plane by allowing communication between any control plane network functions (NFs) directly, reducing the need for point-to-point interfaces and protocols, and enabling flexible addition of new NFs without increasing system complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional 3GPP control plane architecture with point-to-point interfaces is used, then communication between network functions is established, but system complexity increases and scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Service Creation and Deployment Framework (SCDF) as an intermediary layer between network operators and network functions. The SCDF includes a service template repository, service deployment manager, and service instance manager that abstract away the complexity of point-to-point interfaces. Operators can define services using high-level templates without needing to manually configure complex interface connections between multiple network functions, thus reducing control plane complexity while maintaining scalability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal service templates that can be instantiated multiple times across different network functions and scenarios. A single service template can serve multiple purposes and be deployed in various configurations without requiring separate custom interfaces for each case. This multi-functionality reduces the number of unique interface definitions needed in the control plane, simplifying the overall architecture while enabling scalable service deployment.
2Ease of operation
If multiple point-to-point interfaces and protocols are implemented to support various network functions, then communication flexibility is achieved, but difficulty in rolling out new features increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the service deployment process into distinct manageable components: service templates, service deployment descriptors, and service instances. Each network function exposes its capabilities through standardized interface definitions that are segmented and registered in the SCDF. This segmentation allows new features to be rolled out by adding or modifying individual service templates without affecting the entire system, reducing the complexity of managing multiple interfaces and protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic parameter changes in service templates and deployment descriptors without requiring changes to the underlying interface protocols. Service templates contain configurable parameters that can be modified to adapt to new features and requirements. The SCDF manages these parameter changes centrally, allowing operators to update service definitions while the actual network function interfaces remain stable, thus easing the deployment of new features without increasing protocol complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In an example, there is disclosed a computing apparatus, having: a processor; a memory; a network interface to communicatively couple to a mobile data network; and an interconnection and routing function (IRF) server engine to: receive an incoming Control plane message from a source network function (NF) via the network interface; examine a header of the incoming Control plane message to determine a destination NF of the Control plane message; and route the Control plane message to the destination NF.