MEC Proximity Service for P2P Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-access edge computing (MEC) networks, equipping all MEC devices with hardware and software to support various services is costly and wasteful, leading to increased latency and resource consumption, as not all devices can handle resource-intensive services, causing user devices to connect to unsuitable MEC devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing network-assisted peer-to-peer communication by informing user devices about available MEC devices and their supported services through MEC proximity service information, allowing users to connect to specialized MEC devices tailored for specific services, reducing latency and resource wastage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If all MEC devices are equipped with hardware and software to support various services, then service coverage is improved, but deployment cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the MEC network into specialized devices, each equipped with hardware and software for specific services rather than all services. MEC devices are divided into categories based on their service capabilities (e.g., augmented reality, virtual reality, video conferencing), allowing cost-effective deployment while maintaining overall network versatility through device selection and user guidance.
2Speed
If user devices connect to the nearest MEC device, then connection speed is improved, but service compatibility deteriorates when the nearest device cannot provide required services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network device receives information about the user device's service requirements and the capabilities of available MEC devices. Based on this feedback, the network device guides the user device to connect to an appropriate MEC device that can provide the required service, rather than simply the nearest one, ensuring both speed and service compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The network device acts as an intermediary between user devices and MEC devices. It receives service requirement information from user devices, matches these requirements with MEC device capabilities, and provides guidance information to establish appropriate connections. This intermediary function resolves the conflict between proximity-based connection and service compatibility.
3Productivity
If MEC devices specialize in specific services, then resource efficiency is improved, but network complexity increases due to need for service matching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the service matching complexity from the MEC devices themselves and centralizes it in the network device. MEC devices focus solely on providing their specialized services without the burden of service matching logic. The network device handles the complexity of receiving service requirements, matching them with appropriate MEC devices, and providing connection guidance, thereby maintaining resource efficiency while managing network complexity centrally.
Data Source
AI summary
A network device may receive multi-access edge computing (MEC) proximity service information that identifies a set of MEC devices and a set of network services supported by respective MEC devices of the set of MEC devices. The network device may transmit, to a base station, at least a portion of the MEC proximity service information for broadcasting by the base station. The network device may receive, from a user device, a request to establish a peer-to-peer connection with a MEC device for the network service. The network device may authenticate the user device for access to the network service. The network device may transmit, to the user device and the MEC device, connection information that enables the user device and the MEC device to establish the peer-to-peer connection, based on authenticating the user device for access to the network service.