Local Gateway Function for LTE Traffic Offload
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing internet usage and data services from smartphones have led to a reduction in available bandwidth in LTE networks, necessitating effective traffic offload technologies like LIPA and SIPTO to manage user plane traffic efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of Local IP Access (LIPA) and Selected IP Traffic Offload (SIPTO) technologies within LTE networks, which involve the use of a Local Gateway (L-GW) function to reroute user plane traffic directly between the Home eNodeB and the collocated L-GW, or closer to the user equipment's location, respectively, to alleviate bandwidth constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traffic is routed through the core network, then network control and management are maintained, but available bandwidth is reduced due to increased traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments traffic handling by introducing local gateway functions (L-GW) at the edge network (HeNB) that can independently handle user plane traffic locally, while the core network retains control plane functions. This segmentation allows traffic to be processed closer to the user, reducing core network bandwidth consumption while maintaining centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to traffic routing by enabling local traffic offloading at the edge network through L-GW functions. Traffic can now flow through multiple paths: traditional core network routing or local edge routing, effectively adding a parallel dimension to the network architecture that reduces congestion in the core network.
2Productivity
If Local Gateway function is collocated with Home eNodeB, then traffic offloading is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the L-GW function with the Home eNodeB (HeNB) to create a collocated architecture. This combination enables the HeNB to perform both radio access functions and local gateway functions, achieving traffic offloading capability at the edge network while utilizing existing infrastructure rather than deploying separate dedicated gateway devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The HeNB is designed to perform multiple functions: traditional radio access networking and local IP access gateway functions. This multi-functionality allows a single network node to handle both user equipment communication and local traffic routing, reducing the need for additional specialized devices while enabling sophisticated traffic management.
Data Source
AI summary
Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods to establish a connection to the Internet via a local gateway (L-GW) function for a LIPA or a SIPTO@LN. The establishment of the connection to the Internet may be performed, for example, by at least one of an E-RAB SETUP procedure, an INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP procedure, an INITIAL UE MESSAGE procedure or an UPLINK NAS TRANSPORT procedure.