Local EPC Proxy for LTE Handset Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
LTE handsets and radio access networks lose functionality without access to an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), necessitating a solution for providing EPC functionality in situations where the normal EPC is not directly accessible.
Innovation Solution
Establishing an ad hoc local network by monitoring connection availability to a remote core network, creating data connections between mobile devices and local core network modules, and forwarding data between local and remote core networks to enable mobile device connectivity and service requests, with a local core network module acting as a proxy or back-to-back user agent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a local core network module is deployed at each base station to provide EPC functionality, then LTE handsets can maintain functionality without remote EPC access, but device complexity and network infrastructure costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The EPC functionality is segmented and distributed to individual base stations through local core network modules, allowing each base station to independently provide EPC services to connected handsets without requiring continuous connection to a remote centralized EPC
Solution Approach 2:
The local core network module acts as an intermediary between the LTE handset and the remote EPC, providing proxy functions including message forwarding, service request handling, and data routing when remote EPC is unavailable, while still enabling full LTE functionality locally
2Loss of energy
If local core network modules are deployed to enable closed network operation, then network traffic burdens on remote EPC are reduced, but manufacturing and deployment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network architecture is segmented into distributed local core network modules at base stations, enabling traffic to be processed locally within the closed network rather than being funneled through the remote EPC, thereby reducing remote network traffic burdens
Solution Approach 2:
Local core network modules are pre-configured with EPC functionality and can immediately begin providing services when deployed, enabling rapid establishment of closed network operations without requiring complex post-deployment configuration or remote EPC connectivity
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for a local evolved packet core (EPC) that interoperates with an eNodeB and a remote EPC. In one embodiment, a method for establishing an ad hoc local network may be disclosed, comprising: monitoring an availability of a connection to a remote core network; creating a first data connection between a first mobile device and a local core network module, thereby permitting a first mobile device to attach to a local network base station without connectivity to the remote core network; identifying, at a local core network module, reconnection to the remote core network; sending, from the local core network module to the remote core network, a service request message based on a prior message received from the first mobile device at the local core network module; creating a second data connection between the local network base station and the remote core network; and forwarding downlink data, received from the remote core network via at the second data connection, to the first mobile device via the first data connection.