Local Gateway Service in Dual Connectivity Wireless Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing LTE network architecture is not well-suited for supporting local gateway (L-GW) service in dual connectivity scenarios, where a user equipment (UE) consumes radio resources from multiple network points with non-ideal backhaul, requiring a method to efficiently manage and route data through local gateways in small cell deployments.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for supporting local gateway (L-GW) service in dual connectivity by allowing a secondary evolved NodeB (SeNB) to receive a request message from a master evolved NodeB (MeNB) indicating the use of an L-GW, and deciding to transmit data via the X2 interface instead of the S1-U interface for specific E-UTRAN radio access bearers (E-RABs) served by the L-GW, enabling efficient data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the LTE network uses centralized gateway architecture with S1-U interface for data transmission, then network control and management is simplified, but data transmission efficiency for local gateway services in dual connectivity scenarios deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transmission path by introducing a local gateway (L-GW) that breaks the traditional centralized S1-U interface into two parts: X2 interface between eNBs and local S1-U interface. This segmentation allows local data to be handled locally while maintaining centralized control for non-local traffic, resolving the contradiction between simplified control and efficient local transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The local gateway (L-GW) acts as an intermediary entity between the eNBs and the core network. It mediates data transmission by receiving data from the MeNB via X2 interface, forwarding it to the SeNB, and enabling local breakout without requiring direct S1-U connection between SeNB and core network, thus maintaining control simplicity while improving local transmission efficiency.
2Reliability
If the SeNB transmits data via S1-U interface for E-RABs served by L-GW, then connectivity to core network is ensured, but transmission path length and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a new dimension to the transmission architecture by introducing the X2 interface as an alternative path dimension. Instead of forcing all traffic through the vertical S1-U path to the core network, traffic can now travel horizontally through the X2 interface between eNBs, reducing path length for local traffic while maintaining core network connectivity through the L-GW.
3Productivity
If the network supports local gateway service in dual connectivity, then local content access performance is improved, but network architecture complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The local gateway (L-GW) is designed as a multi-functional entity that can handle both local breakout traffic and backhaul traffic to the core network. It serves multiple purposes: acting as a local access point for local content, maintaining S1-U connectivity to the core network, and coordinating with both MeNB and SeNB. This universality allows local content access improvement without proportionally increasing architecture complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for supporting a local gateway (L-GW) service in a wireless communication system is provided. When an L-GW is co-located with a master evolved NodeB (MeNB) in dual connectivity, a secondary evolved NodeB (SeNB) in dual connectivity receives a request message including information on a specific E-UTRAN radio access bearer (E-RAB), which is served by a L-GW, from a master evolved NodeB (MeNB) in dual connectivity which has the L-GW, decides to transmit data via a X2 interface instead of a S1-U interface for the specific E-RAB, and transmits a response message to the MeNB.