Mobile Internet Optimization Platform Overlay Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile data networks face challenges in upgrading their infrastructure to support increasing data demands due to the high cost of replacing expensive hardware and maintaining bandwidth, especially with limited capabilities of point-to-point microwave links.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Mobile Internet Optimization Platform (MIOP) that includes service mechanisms in the radio access network, core network, and an overlay network, allowing for transparent performance of new mobile network services within the existing infrastructure, thereby enhancing data throughput without requiring extensive hardware or software changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing mobile data network equipment is replaced with new equipment to upgrade capability, then network service quality and data throughput are improved, but the cost of upgrading increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an overlay network that nests new service mechanisms within the existing mobile data network infrastructure. The overlay network is built on top of the existing physical network, allowing new services to be layered without replacing underlying hardware. This enables network capability enhancement while avoiding the high cost of complete equipment replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The overlay network acts as an intermediary layer between the existing physical network and the new services. It provides a virtualized interface that allows new service mechanisms to communicate with each other and with existing network elements without requiring direct integration with the physical infrastructure, thereby simplifying the upgrade process and reducing costs.
2Productivity
If point to point microwave links are replaced with fiber optic cable to boost bandwidth, then data throughput is improved, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtualized dimension to the network by implementing an overlay network that operates on top of the existing physical microwave links. Instead of replacing the physical infrastructure, the solution adds a virtual layer that enables enhanced bandwidth and service capabilities through software-defined networking, thereby avoiding the costly fiber optic deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical infrastructure upgrades (replacing microwave links with fiber optic cables) with a software-based virtualized network architecture. The overlay network uses virtual routing and switching mechanisms to achieve high throughput without requiring physical infrastructure changes, substituting mechanical upgrades with software-based solutions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If new mobile network services are implemented in existing infrastructure, then service capability is enhanced, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into distinct functional layers: the existing physical network layer and the new overlay network layer. Each layer has specific responsibilities, with the overlay network handling new services and the physical network handling fundamental connectivity. This segmentation isolates complexity to specific layers while maintaining simplicity in other areas, enabling service enhancement without overwhelming the entire network architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Mobile network services are performed in a mobile data network in a way that is transparent to most of the existing equipment in the mobile data network. The mobile data network includes a radio access network and a core network. A first service mechanism in the radio access network breaks out data coming from a basestation, and performs one or more mobile network services based on the broken out data. A second service mechanism in the core network performs one or more mobile network services based on the network traffic remaining after the first service mechanism performs its breakout. An optional third service mechanism coupled to the core network provides one or more mobile network services in the mobile data network. An overlay network allows the first, second and third service mechanisms to communicate with each other. The overlay network is preferably a private virtual network.