RAN Edge Caching Module for Traffic Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Caching content at the interface of the core network and the Internet in mobile networks does not reduce traffic in the Radio Access Network (RAN), leading to increased capital and operational costs, and disrupts service plane functions such as data accounting and lawful interception.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a caching module at the interface between the RAN and the core network, which intercepts content requests, determines if content is cached, and sends a header request to the origin server to validate cached content, allowing for transparent caching without custom integration with the core network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a content cache is provided at the interface of the core network and the Internet, then the cache functionality is available, but it does not reduce traffic in the radio access network and does not reduce capital expenditures within the RAN
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the cache from the traditional core network interface location to the radio access network edge, changing the spatial dimension of cache deployment. This dimensional shift allows the cache to be positioned closer to end users, reducing RAN traffic while maintaining network architecture integrity through transparent operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a transparent cache as an intermediary component within the RAN that mediates between content requests from users and the core network. This intermediary cache reduces RAN traffic by serving content locally without requiring complex integration with core network service plane functions.
2Productivity
If a content cache is provided at the interface of the core network and the Internet, then the cache functionality is available, but it is significantly distant from subscribers and does not help reduce congestion within the RAN
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial deployment dimension by placing the cache at the RAN edge instead of at the core network interface. This dimensional repositioning reduces the physical and logical distance from subscribers, enabling the cache to effectively reduce RAN congestion by serving content locally at the network edge.
3Ease of operation
If service plane functions (data accounting, lawful interception, content filtering) are relocated to the RAN, then caching can occur downstream, but this increases both implementation costs within the RAN and long-term operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cache functionality from the core network service plane and places it in the RAN as a transparent, standalone component. This extraction allows caching to operate independently without requiring complex integration or relocation of service plane functions such as data accounting, lawful interception, and content filtering, thereby avoiding increased implementation and operational costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a transparent cache as an intermediary that operates independently in the RAN without disrupting existing service plane functions. This intermediary approach enables downstream caching while maintaining the integrity and centralized operation of service plane functions in the core network, avoiding the need for costly integration or relocation.
4Reliability
If a custom integration effort is performed between the RAN cache and various components of the core network, then the cache can function, but this requires expensive custom integration with Billing and Charging servers, lawful interception systems, or content filtering systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cache from the core network service plane and positions it as a transparent, independent component in the RAN. This extraction eliminates the need for custom integration with core network components such as Billing and Charging servers, lawful interception systems, and content filtering systems, as the transparent cache operates autonomously without disrupting existing service plane functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal transparent cache solution that can deploy caching functionality without requiring custom integration with various core network components. The transparent design allows the cache to operate universally across different network configurations and service plane implementations, avoiding expensive custom integration efforts while maintaining reliable cache functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A caching module is provided at the interface between a radio access network (RAN) and a core network (CN). If the requested content is available in the caching module as cached content, the caching module sends a header request upstream to an origin server to determine if the cached content is valid and authorized. If the cached content is invalid, it is evicted from the cached and may be replaced with a new, valid content. The CN can inspect the header response to perform data accounting and billing, to provide upstream content filtering, and to provide lawful interception capabilities. Related techniques are also provided.