Multi-Link Access Gateway for Bandwidth Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication technologies face limitations in bandwidth resources when a terminal uses a single link to access a core network, leading to compromised quality of service and user experience, especially during large-scale data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A communication method where a terminal obtains an IP address from a first network, sends a first access message to an access gateway through that network, and then sends a second access message through a second network, which may include the first IP address or a terminal identifier, to establish two communication links between the terminal and the second core network, thereby increasing bandwidth resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a terminal uses a single link to access the core network, then the system complexity is low, but the bandwidth resources are limited and quality of service deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single access link into multiple independent links (first access link and second access link), allowing the terminal to access the core network through different paths simultaneously. This segmentation enables aggregation of bandwidth resources from multiple links while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized access procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional access model to a multi-dimensional access model by introducing multiple access links from different networks (3GPP and non-3GPP networks). This dimensional expansion allows the terminal to utilize bandwidth resources from diverse network sources, significantly increasing total available bandwidth.
2Reliability
If a terminal establishes multiple communication links through different networks, then bandwidth resources increase and quality of service improves, but the complexity of network management and access control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal access gateway (N3IWF) that can handle both 3GPP and non-3GPP access links through a unified interface and standardized procedures. This multi-functional gateway simplifies network management by providing consistent access control, authentication, and QoS handling across different network types, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from managing multiple specialized access points.
Solution Approach 2:
The access gateway serves as an intermediary between the terminal and the core network, mediating the complex interactions of multi-link access. It performs centralized authentication, link management, and QoS enforcement, shielding the core network from the complexity of handling multiple access types simultaneously while ensuring reliable quality of service.
3Productivity
If the terminal sends access messages through multiple networks, then the bandwidth resources are expanded, but the complexity of message routing and identification increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the routing and identification functions for multiple access links into a unified mechanism at the access gateway. The gateway consolidates message routing decisions and identifier management for both 3GPP and non-3GPP links, simplifying the complexity that would otherwise exist in the terminal and core network while enabling high data transmission capacity through coordinated multi-link operation.
Data Source
AI summary
The technology of this application relates to a communication method and apparatus, to resolve a current problem that limited bandwidth resources of a single link affect quality of service. In an example embodiment, a terminal sends a first access message to an access gateway in a second core network through a first network, and sends a second access message to the access gateway through a second network, where the first access message is encapsulated by using a first IP address. Further, the access gateway requests an AMF network element to establish two communication links for the terminal. One communication link is for the terminal to access the core network through the first network, and the other communication link is for the terminal to access the core network through the second network. Through establishment of the two communication links between the terminal and the core network, bandwidth resources can be added, and the quality of service can be improved.