Local IP Access Appliance for Mobile Network Traffic Offloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile network systems face challenges in efficiently offloading traffic, leading to increased operational costs and reduced quality of service due to the burden on backhaul and aggregation network elements, especially for users at the edge of cell sites where coverage is poor.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for data routing in communications systems that includes receiving data packets and determining forwarding routes, using a local IP access appliance system to route packets either through a known content route or a default route, thereby offloading traffic and reducing the burden on backhaul networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traffic is routed through core or peering locations to content datacenters, then network robustness and availability are improved, but backhaul operational costs and transmission latency increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces local IP access appliances and edge computing nodes as intermediary devices deployed at cell sites and aggregation points. These intermediaries cache content locally and perform intelligent routing, allowing traffic to be delivered closer to user equipments without requiring all traffic to traverse the full path through core network and datacenter locations, thus reducing backhaul operational costs while maintaining network reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network into multiple hierarchical levels including core network, aggregation network, and access network with edge computing nodes deployed at different levels. This segmentation allows traffic to be routed through the most appropriate level based on content type and user location, preventing unnecessary traversal through higher-level core infrastructure and reducing overall backhaul costs
2Reliability
If traffic is routed through core or peering locations to content datacenters, then network robustness and availability are improved, but data transmission effectiveness deteriorates due to increased latency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements content caching and pre-positioning at edge computing nodes and local IP access appliances before user requests are made. By anticipating and preparing content at edge locations closer to user equipments, the system reduces the time required for data transmission while maintaining the reliability benefits of the core network infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
Edge computing nodes act as intermediaries that receive and deliver content locally without requiring all traffic to traverse the full path through core network and distant datacenters. This intermediary approach significantly reduces transmission latency for local content while the core network remains available for robustness
3Reliability
If more cell sites are deployed to improve coverage at network edges, then quality of service for edge users improves, but network complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements edge computing nodes and local IP access appliances that perform multiple functions including content caching, intelligent routing, traffic offloading, and local service delivery. By consolidating these diverse functions into unified edge infrastructure, the system improves edge quality of service without proportionally increasing network complexity
4Loss of energy
If traffic offloading is implemented at datacenter level through peering, then IP transit costs are reduced, but backhaul burden remains high because traffic must still be transported from core to wireless edge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends traffic offloading from the traditional horizontal datacenter peering dimension to a vertical dimension by deploying edge computing nodes throughout the network hierarchy from core to access levels. This multi-dimensional approach allows traffic to be offloaded at multiple points along the transmission path, reducing both IP transit costs and backhaul burden simultaneously by preventing traffic from needing to traverse the entire path from core to wireless edge
Data Source
AI summary
A method, a system, and a computer program product for data routing in communications systems. A data packet is received and source of the data packet is determined. based on the source of the data packet, a forwarding route for transmission of the data packet is determined. The forwarding route includes at least one of the following: a known content route and a default content route. The data packet is transmitted based on the determined forwarding route.