Virtualized LTE Core Network Resource Orchestration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LTE Core Network implementations are inflexible and inefficient in meeting the growing demands of data traffic and new business models, such as IoT services, due to the need for rapid provisioning of network resources, which is hindered by the lack of an efficient management layer tailored to future requirements, leading to lower resource utilization and degraded Quality of Service (QoS).
Innovation Solution
A virtualized data plane framework with a central controller that dynamically optimizes traffic and resource allocation across multiple data centers, using Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) to assign virtual machine resources to various network functions, configure routing planes, and manage inter-data center bandwidth, ensuring efficient and agile provisioning of network resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized hardware based deployments are used in LTE core networks, then network reliability is maintained, but provisioning speed and adaptability to new business models deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces specialized hardware-based network functions with virtualized software implementations running on commercial off-the-shelf hardware. This substitution enables rapid provisioning through software deployment while maintaining network reliability through virtualization orchestration and management layers that ensure service quality and fault tolerance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic resource allocation and orchestration capabilities that allow the network to adapt provisioning speeds and resource distribution in real-time based on traffic demands and service requirements. The management layer dynamically manages virtualized network functions to maintain reliability while optimizing provisioning efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If network functions are virtualized to enable rapid provisioning, then adaptability and provisioning speed improve, but management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network architecture into distinct functional layers: virtualized network functions, orchestration layer, and management layer. This segmentation allows each layer to be independently managed and optimized, reducing overall management complexity while maintaining provisioning agility. The orchestration layer handles virtualization management separately from core network management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an orchestration layer as an intermediary between the management layer and virtualized network functions. This intermediary abstracts and simplifies the management of complex virtualized resources by providing standardized interfaces and automated workflows, thereby reducing management complexity while preserving provisioning flexibility.
3Device complexity
If resources are statically allocated in current LTE core networks, then device complexity is reduced, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where the orchestration layer continuously monitors traffic demands and adjusts resource distribution to virtualized network functions in real-time. This dynamic approach optimizes resource utilization efficiency by allocating resources based on actual needs rather than static pre-assignment, reducing waste while maintaining manageable complexity through automated orchestration.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for managing network resources, including managing a generated virtualized data plane network using a central controller. Virtual machine (VM) resources are assigned to two or more different network functions at a local data center. Traffic is dynamically optimized based on at least one of aggregate traffic demands and quality of service (QoS) goals, and resource allocations and inter-data center (DC) bandwidth resources are determined for VMs for a plurality of services. VMs for each middlebox function and a routing plane for each service are configured based on the determined resource allocation, and flows are routed based on the resource allocation and one or more configured network paths using an overlay-routing framework.