Local Core Network Emulation for Cellular Traffic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cellular network instability in remote areas leads to frequent service outages and economic impacts due to transmission link issues, with existing solutions either reducing bandwidth or not integrating with operator networks effectively.
Innovation Solution
A network component and method that locally emulates a core network functionality using software on a laptop or computer connected to a BTS, allowing for local control of communication traffic for local users while maintaining central control for public users, enabling seamless VAS services and robustness against link outages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If local switching is implemented to reduce transmission bandwidth usage, then bandwidth efficiency is improved, but service availability deteriorates because complete service outage occurs during transmission link failures
Solution Approach 1:
The network functionality is segmented into local switching functions (handled by the network component) and core network functions (handled by the central network). This allows local traffic to be switched independently without requiring continuous connection to the core network, thereby maintaining service availability during transmission link failures while still achieving bandwidth efficiency through local switching.
Solution Approach 2:
A network component acting as an intermediary is introduced between the access node and the core network. This intermediary can locally emulate core network functionality and handle signalling messages, allowing local traffic to be processed independently when the transmission link to the core network is unavailable, thus improving service availability while maintaining bandwidth efficiency.
2Reliability
If a functional core network is collapsed locally to provide emergency coverage, then service continuity is improved during disasters, but integration with operator network deteriorates resulting in complete isolation
Solution Approach 1:
The network component is designed to dynamically adapt its operation mode based on the availability of the transmission link to the core network. When the link is available, it integrates with the operator network for full functionality. When the link fails, it autonomously emulates core network functions to maintain service continuity. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between service continuity and network integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The network component is designed with multi-functionality, capable of operating in both integrated mode (when connected to core network) and autonomous mode (when core network is unavailable). It can handle both local traffic switching and core network signalling processing, making it versatile enough to maintain service continuity while preserving integration capability with the operator network.
3Reliability
If local emulation of core network functionality is implemented, then service robustness is improved against link outages, but device complexity increases due to additional network component requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing a full functional core network locally (which would be extremely complex), the network component creates a simplified copy or emulation of only the essential core network functions needed for local traffic handling. This copying approach provides sufficient service robustness while keeping the device complexity manageable by implementing only the necessary subset of core network functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for locally emulating a core network in a cellular communication network comprising a plurality of access nodes each covering a cell area and an access control node common to all access nodes for controlling the provision of traffic. Users of the cellular network are classified into a first group of users and a second group of users, wherein the first group of users includes users in a cell area or areas covered by a single access node or group of access nodes. It is checked if a call or SMS is set up by a user belonging to the first or to the second group of users. Control is taken over calls and/or SMSs set up between users belonging to the first group of users. Control is passed to the access control node for the remaining calls and/or SMSs.