OpenFlow Controller for LTE Core Simplification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LTE enhanced packet core architectures using serving gateways, packet data network gateways, and mobility management entities are complex, expensive, and consume additional bandwidth due to packet tunneling, making it difficult to support mobility and QoS efficiently.
Innovation Solution
Employing an OpenFlow network controller to perform functionalities traditionally handled by these entities, which manages a cluster of routers using OpenFlow protocol messages, thereby simplifying network operations and reducing overhead by eliminating the need for specialized devices like SGWs and PGWs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized nodes (SGW, PGW, MME) are deployed to handle user authorization, packet routing, and mobility management, then network functionality and control are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple specialized nodes (SGW, PGW, MME) into a single unified gateway device. This gateway integrates packet routing, user authorization, and mobility management capabilities that were previously distributed across separate complex nodes, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive network control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified gateway is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it acts as both a packet router and a mobility management entity, and can handle user authorization. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized nodes for each function, reducing device complexity while preserving all necessary network control capabilities.
2Reliability
If packet tunneling is implemented to support mobility and QoS, then network control and service quality are improved, but bandwidth consumption increases due to additional overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the packet tunneling mechanism from the network architecture. By removing tunneling, the additional overhead and bandwidth consumption associated with encapsulating packets in tunnel protocols is eliminated, while mobility and QoS support are maintained through direct routing capabilities of the unified gateway.
3Reliability
If complex protocols are used to facilitate communication between SGW, PGW, and MME, then inter-operability and control functions are improved, but network operation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging SGW, PGW, and MME into a single unified gateway, the patent eliminates the need for complex inter-node communication protocols between these separate entities. The internal communication within the unified gateway can use simpler mechanisms, reducing protocol complexity while maintaining all necessary inter-operability functions through the integrated design.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication network configured to substitute serving gateway (“SGW”), packet data network gateway (“PGW”), and mobility management entity (“MME”) with an OpenFlow network controller (“OFNC”) for packets routing between mobile devices and the Internet is disclosed. The network includes a cellular base station, a packet data network (“PDN”), and OFNC. The cellular base station provides wireless communication for user equipments (“UEs”). The PDN is able to route packet flows to their destination(s). The routing controller or OFNC manages a cluster of routers including at least one edge router via OpenFlow protocol. The OFNC, in one embodiment, establishes a routing path between the cellular base station and the PDN for an authenticated UE via a group of routers based on information obtained from an authenticating server and a charging system.