Repeater Data Transceiver NAPT Port Mapping

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional RF repeaters for WCDMA or LTE networks require significant IP resources for managing multiple repeaters, leading to inefficient use of IP addresses and increased complexity in network configuration.

Innovation Solution

A data transceiver device and method that utilize a network address port translation (NAPT) technique to assign unique port numbers to radio units, allowing them to communicate with external devices without individual IP addresses, using a representative IP address and unique port numbers for identification and packet routing within the repeater apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate IP address is assigned to each repeater for individual control, then each repeater can be independently monitored and controlled, but IP resource allocation becomes excessive and network complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverepeater control reliabilityVSAvoidIP resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple radio units are merged under a single representative IP address at the transfer unit. The NAPT table maps multiple internal IP addresses (one for each radio unit) to a single external IP address, allowing collective management while maintaining individual controllability through port differentiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer unit acts as an intermediary between external management systems and multiple radio units. It performs IP address translation and port mapping, mediating control signals from the external system to the appropriate radio units without requiring each radio unit to have its own public IP address.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If multiple repeaters are managed with individual IP addresses, then each device can be separately controlled, but network configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual device controlVSAvoidnetwork configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer unit provides universal functionality by serving as a single point of contact for managing multiple radio units. It handles IP translation, port mapping, and packet routing for all radio units, eliminating the need for complex individual configurations while maintaining separate control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the addressing parameter from individual IP addresses to a combination of single IP address with unique port numbers. This parameter transformation simplifies network configuration while preserving the ability to individually address and control each radio unit through port differentiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If individual IP addresses are assigned to radio units, then direct communication is enabled, but IP address exhaustion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidIP address availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system adds a port number dimension to the addressing scheme. Instead of requiring unique IP addresses (4th dimension), radio units are distinguished by port numbers (3rd dimension) while sharing the same IP address, effectively extending the addressing space without consuming additional IP resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple radio units share a single IP address through the NAPT mechanism. The transfer unit combines multiple internal IP addresses into one external IP address, maintaining communication capabilities while dramatically reducing IP address consumption from N to 1.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3836518B1Apparatus for transmitting and receiving data of repeater apparatus and method therefor
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 SK TELECOM CO LTD
  • EP3836518B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3836518B1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(B)
  • EP3836518B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A data transceiver device in a repeater according to an exemplary embodiment includes: a radio unit assigned with a unique port number for uniquely identifying the radio unit and a layer splitter connected to the radio unit; a transfer unit configured to transfer an inbound packet to the layer splitter identified by the unique port number when the inbound packet including the unique port number as an internal port number is received; and the layer splitter configured to transfer the inbound packet to the radio unit corresponding to the unique port number when the inbound packet is received through transfer unit.