LTE CPE Transparent Pipe for ADSL Billing Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems face challenges in providing Internet access to LTE unaware devices using ADSL infrastructure, as they require separate CPEs for each user and cannot reuse existing billing and OSS frameworks, leading to inefficiencies in deploying LTE-based Internet access.
Innovation Solution
The system enables LTE unaware devices to access the Internet by reusing ADSL billing and OSS infrastructure, allowing multiple terminal equipments to connect to a single CPE through a transparent Internet pipe, with each user being billed separately using existing broadband remote access servers, by configuring the LTE CPE to forward DHCP requests over a GPRS tunneling protocol tunnel and utilizing the packet data network gateway as a DHCP relay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate CPEs are provided for each user to enable LTE internet access, then each user can have dedicated LTE aware devices, but it is not possible to use common CPE that can provide Internet access to all tenants in the same premise
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the billing and authentication function from the CPE device itself. The CPE remains a common shared device for multiple users, while the LTE network authentication and billing are segmented into separate logical components (APN, PDP context, HSS) that can handle multiple users independently through a single CPE.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the LTE network (EPC, HSS, PGW) acts as a mediator between the common CPE and multiple end users. The network infrastructure mediates the authentication, IP address allocation, and billing for each user independently, allowing a single CPE to serve multiple tenants without requiring LTE-aware modifications to the CPE itself.
2Productivity
If operator migrates from ADSL to LTE infrastructure, then LTE based Internet access can be provided, but existing Billing and OSS Framework cannot be re-used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing ADSL billing and OSS framework universal by showing that it can handle LTE connections through the same authentication and billing mechanisms. The framework is not replaced but extended to work with LTE APN, PDP context, and HSS components, allowing it to serve both legacy and modern access technologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution changes parameters rather than replacing the entire billing system. It modifies how the existing framework processes connection parameters (adding LTE-specific APN, PDP context, and HSS parameters) while reusing the core billing and OSS infrastructure, thus maintaining compatibility with legacy systems while enabling LTE functionality.
3Reliability
If PGW drops DHCP packets from TE, then LTE CPE address matching can be maintained, but Internet access for LTE unaware devices is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically handles DHCP packet routing based on the device type. For LTE-aware devices, the PGW maintains strict address matching and drops packets from unknown sources. For LTE-unaware devices, the system dynamically allows DHCP packets through by creating appropriate PDP contexts and binding TE MAC addresses to LTE bearers, thus adapting the address matching rule based on the connected device type.
Solution Approach 2:
The PGW acts as an intermediary that translates between the LTE network's address matching requirements and the DHCP protocol used by LTE-unaware devices. It creates a mapping layer where TE MAC addresses are bound to LTE bearers and IP addresses, allowing DHCP packets to pass through the PGW while maintaining address matching integrity for the LTE network.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of the present disclosure enable LTE unaware devices to access Internet by reusing ADSL billing and OSS infrastructure in a LTE deployment by enabling the LTE to provide a transparent Internet pipe through which multiple terminal equipments (TEs) can be connected to a single CPE, and at the same time enabling each user to be billed separately using the existing broadband remote access servers (BRAS).