Mobile Network Node Multiplexing Capability Signaling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current packet-based wireless communication methods in mobile networks face inefficiencies due to high overhead in IP transport, especially for short packets, and existing multiplexing negotiation protocols are limited, affecting bandwidth utilization and complexity in legacy networks.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using the Radio Network Layer protocol to exchange data multiplexing capabilities and activation/deactivation commands between network nodes via RAN interfaces, allowing flexible announcement and implementation of optimization techniques such as packet multiplexing and header compression, independent of connection setup or call signaling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If IP transport is used for mobile networks, then operation and deployment expenditures are reduced, but overhead exceeds data payload for short packets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation and deployment expendituresVSAvoidoverhead ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple small packet data units are merged into a single IP packet through PDU multiplexing. The patent describes combining multiple small data packets that would individually carry excessive IP headers into one consolidated packet, thereby reducing the total overhead ratio and making IP transport more efficient for short packets in mobile networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiplexing negotiation is performed in-band via user plane protocol, then direct information exchange is enabled, but complexity increases in legacy networks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirect information exchangeVSAvoidnetwork protocol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary approach where a specific information element is embedded within existing standardized signaling messages (such as RRC connection setup or bearer setup messages). This mediator allows multiplexing capability negotiation without requiring separate in-band negotiation protocols, thereby reducing complexity in legacy networks while still enabling direct information exchange between network nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If PDU multiplexing is implemented, then transport resources are optimized, but compatibility with legacy networks is challenged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport resource efficiencyVSAvoidlegacy network compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by embedding capability indication information elements during the connection setup phase or bearer setup phase. Network nodes exchange and agree upon multiplexing capabilities before actual data transmission begins. This preliminary negotiation ensures that PDU multiplexing can be efficiently implemented while maintaining compatibility with legacy networks, as the capability exchange happens through standardized signaling procedures that legacy networks can understand and process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2409519B1Mobile network optimization
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP2409519B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2409519B1 patent drawingFigure 5
  • EP2409519B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

It is described a mobile network (100) with a first network node (102) and a second network node (104), the mobile network providing a user plane (114) for transporting transmission packets (120), which contain user data, and a further network layer plane (116) different from the user plane (114). A method of operating the first network node (102) comprises sending an information element (118) to the second network node (104) via a network layer protocol of the further network layer plane (116) wherein the information element (118) indicates optimizing capabilities of the first network node (102) or of a other network node of the mobile network of processing an optimized transmission packet. A method of operating a second network node (202) comprises receiving the information element (118) from the first network node (102) via a network layer protocol of the further network layer plane (116), and processing the information element (118).