Radio Access Network Edge Caching for Latency Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile telecommunications networks face challenges in managing increased bandwidth demand due to rising data traffic, leading to costly operations and service degradation, with existing architectures being hierarchical, proprietary, and inefficient in scaling and resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a novel platform at the network edge with General Purpose Hardware to split Radio Network Controller and NodeB functions, enabling data caching and intelligent local routing, while maintaining core network services like Lawful Interception and charging by selectively routing traffic between the radio access network and core network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If data caching is implemented at radio access network sites, then network traffic is reduced and latency is improved, but device complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network architecture by introducing distributed caching capabilities at individual radio access network sites rather than centralized caching. This allows content to be cached locally at multiple distributed points (NodeBs, RNCs, or gateways), reducing latency for local users while maintaining manageable complexity through modular deployment. The segmentation enables incremental implementation where not all sites require full caching functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a database synchronized with the local source of content as an intermediary component. This database acts as a mediator between the cached content at the radio access network and the core network services, enabling the system to manage cached content efficiently while maintaining compliance with legal obligations through controlled access mechanisms.
2Loss of energy
If content is cached at radio access network sites, then network traffic is reduced, but ensuring service parity and compliance with legal obligations becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through a synchronized database that tracks content availability and access patterns. This feedback system allows the network to monitor cached content status, ensure service parity by providing consistent content across different access points, and maintain compliance with legal obligations by tracking content delivery. The feedback enables dynamic adjustment of caching strategies to balance traffic reduction with service quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal content delivery mechanism that works across both cached and non-cached scenarios. The synchronized database and control means provide multi-functionality by enabling content delivery through local caches when available, while automatically falling back to core network delivery when needed, ensuring service parity. The system universally applies content processing rules regardless of the delivery path.
3Productivity
If a novel platform with General Purpose Hardware is implemented at the network edge, then scaling efficiency is improved, but device complexity and initial costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic resource allocation and flexible platform deployment at the network edge. The General Purpose Hardware platform can dynamically adapt its resources based on traffic demands, caching requirements, and service priorities. This dynamic capability enables efficient scaling as the platform can allocate resources to high-demand functions while maintaining manageable complexity through on-demand resource activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The General Purpose Hardware platform provides universal functionality by consolidating multiple network functions (routing, caching, content processing, legal compliance) into a single multi-functional platform. This universality improves scaling efficiency by avoiding the need for separate dedicated hardware for each function, while the modular design keeps complexity manageable through selective activation of required functions.
4Loss of energy
If traffic is selectively routed between radio access network and core network, then operational costs are reduced, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing routing rules and content processing policies before traffic demands arise. The synchronized database and control means are pre-configured with content availability information and routing directives, enabling automatic traffic steering decisions without real-time complex analysis. This preliminary preparation reduces operational costs by avoiding ad-hoc routing decisions while keeping control complexity manageable through pre-defined policies.
Data Source
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AI summary
A mobile telecommunications network includes a core network (2020) having content processing means (2060, 2070) operable to provide a core network service relating to content, and a radio access network (700, 2003) having radio means for wireless communication with terminals (10) registered with the network, wherein the radio access network (700, 2003) includes a local source of content (741, 1100). The network is arranged to provide the content processing means (2060, 2070) core network service in relation to the content of the local source.