Per-UE Container Architecture for Cellular Core Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular network architectures, such as 4G/LTE networks, face limitations in customizability, programmability, and scalability due to hierarchical and centralized structures, leading to inflated traffic paths and performance degradation, particularly in handling user equipment (UE) mobility and data plane policies.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a novel cellular core architecture combining network function virtualization (NFV) and software-defined networking (SDN) to instantiate per-UE containers that manage UE mobility and data plane policies, consolidating network functions into lightweight, in-network agents close to the UE, thereby reducing the need for centralized gateways and minimizing latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If hierarchical and centralized network architecture is used, then network control and management is simplified, but traffic path length increases and latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized network functions into distributed per-UE containers. Each container handles mobility management and policy enforcement locally for a specific user equipment, eliminating the need for traffic to traverse through centralized gateways. This segmentation reduces traffic path length while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new architectural dimension by placing network function containers directly at the network edge close to UEs, rather than maintaining a strict hierarchical structure. This dimensional shift from centralized to distributed edge computing enables local traffic handling, reducing latency and path length while keeping the system manageable through standardized container interfaces.
2Ease of operation
If centralized gateways are used for policy enforcement, then network policy management is centralized, but traffic paths become inflated and latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the policy enforcement function from centralized gateways and places it within per-UE containers at the network edge. Each container locally enforces data plane policies for its associated UE, eliminating the need for traffic to traverse to centralized gateways. This extraction reduces latency while policy management remains centrally configurable through the container orchestration mechanism.
3Loss of time
If per-UE containers are instantiated at network edge, then latency is reduced and customizability is improved, but infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses universal container technology that can be deployed across multiple network edges, providing per-UE customization through a standardized platform. The container orchestration system manages the complexity of deploying and coordinating numerous per-UE containers, while the containers themselves provide low-latency local processing. This universality allows infrastructure complexity to be managed through abstraction while achieving low latency at the edge.
4Adaptability or versatility
If distributed per-UE containers are deployed, then network customizability and programmability are improved, but control plane traffic increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary configuration of per-UE containers during UE attachment, fetching and applying UE profiles beforehand. This preliminary action establishes local policy contexts in advance, reducing the need for continuous control plane signaling during data plane operations. The containers are pre-programmed with UE-specific policies, enabling high customizability while minimizing ongoing control plane traffic.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods provide containers instantiated for each user equipment (UE), or on “per-UE” bases, which consolidate certain network functions for processing UE traffic into an efficient, in-network, and proximate virtualization to reduce latency and increase customizability.