Local Access Server Distributes Network Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile communication network architectures face challenges with high load on control nodes, leading to network congestion and collapse, especially with a large number of terminals accessing the network, due to centralized control schemes that are expensive, inefficient, and limited in capacity with significant signaling overhead.

Innovation Solution

A mobile communication system incorporating a local access server with a reception module, determination module, and processing module to manage requests, and a network controller with communication and policy control functions to establish forwarding paths based on Quality of Service (QoS) parameters, distributing network control and reducing signaling overhead.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If centralized control scheme is used in traditional mobile communication network, then network control and management can be simplified, but network capacity is limited and signaling overhead is large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork control complexityVSAvoidnetwork capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized control function into distributed control units deployed at access networks. Each control unit handles local control plane functions, dividing the monolithic centralized controller into multiple smaller units that can process requests locally, thereby increasing network capacity while maintaining simplified control through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If centralized control scheme is used in traditional mobile communication network, then network control and management can be simplified, but signaling overhead is large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork control complexityVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where control units at the access network level act as intermediaries between user equipment and the core network. These intermediaries handle and process control plane requests locally before forwarding only necessary information to the core network, reducing the volume of signaling overhead while maintaining simplified centralized management through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If distributed control is implemented to expand network capacity, then network capacity increases, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universal control units with standardized interfaces that can perform multiple control plane functions. These control units are designed to handle various types of requests (authentication, authorization, accounting, mobility management) through a unified architecture, preventing system complexity from increasing despite the distributed deployment that expands network capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3171658B1Mobile communication system comprising a local access server and network controller
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 CHINA ACAD OF TELECOMM TECH
  • EP3171658B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3171658B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3171658B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a mobile communication system, including: a local access server configured to achieve a multi-RATs coordination function, a local access function and distributed network control; a network control function including a communication control function for communication control and a policy control function for policy control; and a network controller configured to establish and configure a forwarding path.