Local Gateway Direct Tunnel for Mobile Data Bypass
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile communication networks, the detour of IP data streams through public data network gateways (GGSN/PGW) increases backhaul bandwidth requirements and communication delay, especially with the rise of mobile broadband and location-based applications, leading to increased burden on these gateways and a mismatch between operator investment and revenue.
Innovation Solution
A local switching method and system for user plane data that establishes direct tunnels between user equipment (UE) and base stations or serving gateways, allowing IP data packets to bypass the public data network gateway, using a Local Gateway (LGW) to register IP addresses and manage data forwarding, thereby enabling direct communication between UEs under the same or nearby base stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If IP data streams are forwarded through public data network gateway (GGSN/PGW), then IP communication can be established between UEs, but backhaul bandwidth requirements increase and communication delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data forwarding path by introducing a local gateway that handles local UE-to-UE traffic separately from the public data network gateway. This creates two distinct forwarding paths: local direct routing for nearby UEs and core network routing for remote UEs, thereby reducing delay for local communications while maintaining reliable IP communication establishment.
Solution Approach 2:
The local gateway acts as an intermediary between UEs and the public data network gateway. It receives IP data packets from source UEs, determines whether the target UE is local or remote, and forwards packets accordingly - either directly to target UEs or to the public data network gateway. This intermediary function eliminates unnecessary detours through the core network for local traffic, reducing communication delay while preserving reliable connectivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If IP data streams detour through public data network gateway, then routing flexibility is maintained, but burden on public data network gateway increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gateway functions by introducing a local gateway that handles local traffic forwarding, separating this function from the public data network gateway. The local gateway performs local routing decisions and forwards packets directly, while the public data network gateway focuses on remote routing and core network management. This segmentation reduces the processing burden on the public data network gateway while maintaining routing flexibility through the local gateway's routing table and forwarding capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The local gateway performs partial routing action for local traffic, handling only the portion of traffic that remains within the local network area. By taking over this partial forwarding function, the local gateway relieves the public data network gateway from processing all traffic, thereby reducing its burden while maintaining overall routing flexibility through coordinated operation between the two gateways.
3Productivity
If more public data network gateway devices are increased to handle increased traffic, then gateway capacity is improved, but operator investment increases while revenue decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gateway functionality by deploying a local gateway at the edge of the network, closer to UEs. This local gateway handles traffic forwarding for local communications, eliminating the need for all traffic to traverse the public data network gateway. Consequently, existing gateway capacity is utilized more efficiently, and the need for additional expensive gateway devices is reduced, thereby improving gateway capacity utilization without increasing operator investment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to the network architecture by deploying gateways at multiple locations (local gateways at base stations and the central public data network gateway). This dimensional expansion allows traffic to be handled at the nearest appropriate gateway, reducing the need to upgrade or add expensive core network gateway devices. The solution improves effective gateway capacity by utilizing distributed gateway resources rather than concentrating all capacity requirements at the central gateway.
Data Source
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AI summary
A local switching method for user plane data includes: after being triggered, a level 1 data node judging whether a direct tunnel can be established for a source user equipment and a target user equipment, and if so, establishing a direct tunnel between a source level 2 data node and a target level 2 data node for the source user equipment and the target user equipment; after receiving an IP data packet transmitted by the source user equipment to the target user equipment, the source level 2 data node forwarding the IP data packet to the target level 2 data node through the direct tunnel between the source level 2 data node and the target level 2 data node, so that the target level 2 data node forwards the IP data packet to the target user equipment.