Network Cache for Delay-Tolerant Data Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cellular networks face inefficiencies due to fluctuating traffic volumes, leading to unused capacity during off-peak hours and suboptimal data content delivery, as existing solutions only consider current cell radio conditions without accounting for user device mobility and predicted radio access node changes.
Innovation Solution
A network cache system that monitors predicted user device mobility and radio access node status to determine optimal timing and location for delay-tolerant data content transfer, utilizing a direct connection between the network cache and radio access nodes to efficiently utilize radio resources and offload traffic from highly loaded cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data transfer is scheduled based on current radio conditions only, then immediate delivery is possible, but delivery quality deteriorates when user mobility changes radio access node conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by predicting future radio access node conditions based on user mobility patterns before actual data transfer occurs. The network cache proactively identifies optimal future time slots and target radio access nodes, preparing transfer schedules in advance rather than reacting to current conditions only. This ensures delivery quality is maintained even as conditions change.
Solution Approach 2:
The system makes the data transfer schedule dynamic by continuously updating predictions based on actual user mobility and changing radio conditions. Instead of static scheduling based on current state, the system adapts the transfer plan as users move between cells, selecting different target radio access nodes and time slots dynamically to maintain optimal delivery quality.
2Reliability
If network capacity is increased to handle peak traffic, then service reliability during peak hours improves, but capacity remains unused during off-peak hours increasing operating costs
Solution Approach 1:
The network cache performs preliminary data transfer actions during off-peak hours by predicting when users will need data and proactively transferring it to appropriate locations or caching it locally. This anticipatory approach smooths traffic distribution, moving data during low-utilization periods rather than concentrating all transfers during peak demand, thereby reducing the required peak capacity while maintaining service reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by keeping the network cache actively engaged in data transfer operations during off-peak hours. Rather than network resources being idle, the cache continuously predicts user needs and executes transfers during low-traffic periods, ensuring productive utilization of network capacity throughout the day and reducing the need for oversized peak-capacity infrastructure.
3Speed
If data transfer is performed in highly loaded cells, then delivery speed may be immediate, but radio resource utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of radio resource conditions across multiple cells and time slots before executing data transfer. By predicting future radio conditions and user mobility, the network cache identifies upcoming time slots with better resource availability in different cells, scheduling transfers in advance to utilize underutilized radio resources rather than immediately consuming resources in currently loaded cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The network cache acts as an intermediary between the data source and users, buffering and redistributing data transfers across different time slots and radio access nodes. It mediates the conflict between immediate delivery and efficient resource use by decoupling the transfer decision from current radio conditions, selecting optimal target cells and times based on predicted resource availability rather than current load.
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure relates to the delivery of delay-tolerant data according to a predicted mobility of a user device in a network-controlled client cache architecture. A network node (18, 210, 308, 70, 90) receives (222, 324, 42) information about a predicted mobility of a user device, and monitors a network status of radio access nodes of a communication network, based on the received information about predicted mobility. Based on the monitored network status, the network node determines (228, 328, 46) when, and via which radio access node, to transfer the requested data. A user device (12, 208, 80, 100) can send information about a predicted mobility of the user devices, together with information about data being requested, and receive information about when to initiate a transfer of the requested data, based on the predicted mobility of the user device. A better utilization of radio resources can be obtained.