Mobile Network Server Selection Using UE Mobility Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing server selection mechanisms in mobile networks, particularly in Content Distribution Networks (CDN), fail to effectively account for mobile network-specific characteristics such as UE movement, leading to inefficiencies in bandwidth usage, latency, and potential service interruptions, and do not adequately address security and charging requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a gateway node and policy server that receives mobility information from a mobile user equipment (UE) to select an appropriate service node within the communications network, choosing between data network and core network domains based on UE speed, and utilizing a policy server to enforce policies for CDN distribution node selection, ensuring optimized edge node selection considering mobile network specifics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a CDN DN below Gi/SGi interface is selected to serve a moving UE, then transport bandwidth saving and latency reduction are achieved, but service interruption risk increases due to UE mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic service node selection that adapts to UE mobility conditions. The system continuously monitors UE movement status and dynamically switches between RAN-deployed CDN DNs (for stationary/slow-moving UEs) and core network CDN DNs (for fast-moving UEs), ensuring optimal service continuity while minimizing latency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mobility management entity as an intermediary that coordinates between the UE, RAN, and core network CDN DNs. This intermediary manages service handovers and ensures seamless transition when UE moves between coverage areas, preventing service interruption while maintaining low latency through intelligent routing.
2Productivity
If CDN DNs are deployed in RAN to serve UEs, then performance is improved, but security and charging requirements cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the CDN DN deployment into two distinct locations: RAN-deployed CDN DNs for performance-critical content delivery, and core network CDN DNs for security-sensitive operations. This segmentation allows the system to leverage the performance benefits of RAN deployment while maintaining security compliance through core network involvement for authentication, charging, and lawful interception.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality requirements to different CDN DN locations based on their functional roles. RAN-deployed CDN DNs are optimized for high-performance content delivery with relaxed security requirements, while core network CDN DNs are optimized for security and charging compliance. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between performance and security.
3Ease of operation
If IP address is used as location info for CDN server selection in mobile networks, then server selection is simplified, but accuracy deteriorates due to IP address reuse across different locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple location identification mechanisms: IP address-based selection for simplicity, combined with mobility management entity location data and RAN location information for accuracy. This combination allows the system to maintain the simplicity of IP-based selection while overcoming its accuracy limitations through supplementary location data from network infrastructure.
Data Source
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Figure 2A~2B
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AI summary
The invention refers to providing a service associated to a service request received from a mobile user equipment -UE- (10), the communications network comprising a plurality of service nodes (21a - 21h), the communications network (1) receives (S2) a service request from a requesting UE (10), obtains mobility information associated to the UE (10), selects a service node (21) from the plurality of service nodes (21, 21') in dependency of the mobility information, and transmits (S3) a response to the UE indicative of the selected service node (21) to be contacted for providing the service. The invention further refers to a gateway node and a method performed by the gateway node, a policy server and a method performed in the policy server and to corresponding programs.