Local Internet Routing via Control-Plane Node for Mobile Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile communications networks, user equipment experiences excessive transmission delays when accessing external packet data networks due to reliance on public-network user-plane nodes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a data connection method where user equipment accesses external packet data networks through a local user-plane node by selecting an access point with Internet agent capability, facilitated by the control-plane node sending access information including access point names and Internet agent capability indications, allowing the setup of a direct data connection within the local network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If user equipment accesses external packet data network through public-network user-plane node, then network coverage is ensured, but transmission delay becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an Internet agent as an intermediary component deployed in the local network. This agent acts as a mediator between user equipment and the external packet data network, enabling local routing of internet-bound traffic without requiring communication to traverse back to the public-network user-plane node. The Internet agent capability indication information signals this intermediary's presence, allowing UE to route traffic locally and significantly reducing transmission delay while maintaining network coverage through the original public-network connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data transmission path by separating internet-bound traffic from other types of traffic. Through the introduction of Internet agent capability indication information associated with access point names, the system divides traffic routing into two paths: general traffic continues through the public-network user-plane node for reliable coverage, while internet-specific traffic is routed locally through the Internet agent. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by optimizing the internet access path without compromising overall network coverage.
2Loss of time
If user equipment uses local user-plane node for internet access, then transmission delay is reduced, but network architecture complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing the Internet agent to handle multiple functions within a single component. The Internet agent not only routes internet-bound traffic locally but also provides capability indication information to multiple access point names, supporting various access scenarios. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate complex mechanisms for each function, thereby limiting the increase in network architecture complexity while achieving local routing benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of access point name configuration by associating Internet agent capability indication information with specific access point names. Instead of creating a completely new complex routing infrastructure, the system modifies existing access point name parameters to include capability indicators. This parameter change approach allows the network to support local internet routing through a minimal modification to the existing architecture, thus reducing transmission delay without significantly increasing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If access information includes Internet agent capability indication, then local routing capability is enabled, but information overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selectively adding Internet agent capability indication information only to access point names that support local internet routing. Not all access point names require this additional information - only those where local routing is available. This partial inclusion approach enables local routing capability where needed while avoiding the information overhead penalty for access point names that don't support the feature, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and information overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application disclose a data connection method, a control-plane node, and user equipment, to provide a mechanism in which user equipment can access an external packet data network by using a local network. The method includes: sending, by a control-plane node, access information to user equipment, where the access information includes at least one access point name and Internet agent capability indication information for each access point name; receiving, by the control-plane node, a connection setup message sent by the user equipment, where the connection setup message includes a first access point name, and the first access point name is determined by the user equipment based on the Internet agent capability indication information; and determining, by the control-plane node, a corresponding local user-plane node based on the first access point name, and setting up a data connection from the user equipment to the local user-plane node.