Local Data Bi-casting in Radio Access Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile communications networks lack the ability to implement a 'local shortcut' for voice calls within the same radio cell, which would improve voice quality and reduce operational costs, while also ensuring supplementary services are available, but existing technologies do not support this without maintaining core network connectivity.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a serving access gateway checks the media plane access needs of network nodes and, if none require access, instructs a media gateway to provide uplink endpoints for local bi-casting of user plane data within the radio access network, reducing the need for core network involvement and enabling supplementary services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a local shortcut is implemented within the radio access network for voice calls between users in the same radio cell, then voice quality and speech path delay are improved, but the ability to provide supplementary services and network features is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mediator mechanism where the serving access gateway acts as an intermediary between the local shortcut path and supplementary service requirements. The gateway monitors and controls media plane access, allowing local routing while maintaining the capability to redirect traffic through the core network when supplementary services are needed, thus resolving the contradiction between local optimization and service versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic path selection where the routing decision between local shortcut and core network path is not fixed but adapts based on real-time requirements. The system can dynamically switch between local and core network paths depending on whether supplementary services are needed, allowing the network to optimize for speed when possible while maintaining adaptability when service requirements change.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the core network is kept connected and active to provide supplementary services, then network features are available, but operational costs and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic or on-demand core network engagement rather than continuous connection. The core network is activated only when supplementary services are actually required, and local shortcuts are used during periods when such services are not needed. This periodic engagement pattern reduces operational costs while maintaining service availability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the supplementary service functionality from the mandatory core network path and makes it an optional, on-demand feature. By separating the basic voice transmission function (handled locally) from the supplementary service function (handled by core network when needed), the system reduces continuous operational costs while maintaining service versatility when required.
3Adaptability or versatility
If user data is transmitted through the core network to allow access by network nodes, then supplementary services can be provided, but traffic load and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different parts of the network to handle traffic differently based on local requirements. Most traffic flows locally through the radio access network with minimal core network involvement, while only specific traffic requiring supplementary services is routed through the core network. This localized handling reduces overall core network traffic while maintaining necessary access capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by having the core network handle only the portion of traffic that requires supplementary services, rather than all traffic. The majority of traffic is handled locally without core network involvement, reducing core network traffic load while maintaining the capability to provide network node access when partially needed for specific services.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for setting up a connection between an originating mobile entity and a terminating mobile entity connecting to the same radio access network of a mobile communications network, the radio access network accessing a core network through a serving access gateway serving one of the two mobile entities the method performed by the serving access gateway comprising the steps of receiving a connection setup message for establishing the connection between the originating and the terminating mobile entity, wherein the connection setup message transmitted along a signalling path in the core network comprises an information element storing media plane access needs of at least one network node in the signalling path of the core network, wherein the media plane access needs indicate the needs of a network node in the signal path of the core network to access a media plane of the connection to be set up. Additionally it is checked whether any of the network nodes in the signalling path of the core network needs access to the media plane of said connection to be set up, wherein, if none of the network nodes needs access to the media plane and if the serving access gateway needs access to the media plane at least the following steps are carried out: a media gateway that is handling a media stream of the serving access gateway is instructed to provide an uplink endpoint for the connection to the originating mobile entity and an uplink endpoint for the connection to the terminating mobile entity for the connection to be set up, and the radio access network is informed to transmit the media stream of the originating and the terminating mobile entity to the media gateway of the serving access gateway needing access to the media plane.