Topology Database for Application Service Migration in Cellular Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cellular networks, the mobility of user equipment (UE) poses challenges for migrating ongoing application sessions and selecting appropriate application service platforms, especially due to variations in supported services across distributed platforms, which complicates efficient service utilization and transport network capacity management.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a topology database system within access nodes that exchanges and stores information about application services supported by neighboring platforms via X2 interfaces, allowing for efficient selection and migration of application services based on hierarchical levels and available capacities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If distributed application service platforms are deployed at different access nodes to reduce transport network bandwidth requirements and improve user experience, then service quality and network efficiency are improved, but system complexity increases due to the need to manage mobility and select appropriate platforms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized platform as an intermediary that coordinates between multiple distributed application service platforms and user equipment. This intermediary manages session migrations and platform selections, reducing the complexity burden from individual access nodes while maintaining the benefits of distributed deployment. The centralized platform handles the complex decision-making logic for service placement and migration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal platform architecture that can host multiple application service platforms with different service portfolios. This universal structure allows any access node to potentially provide any service through the coordinated platform, simplifying the management model while maintaining service diversity. The standardized interface and coordination mechanism enable multi-functionality across the distributed system.
2Loss of time
If application service platforms are deployed at multiple distributed locations to reduce roundtrip delays, then user experience is improved, but the complexity of selecting and migrating sessions between platforms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary actions by pre-establishing coordination relationships and service capability information between distributed platforms before actual service deployment. The centralized platform预先 collects and distributes information about which services are available at each location, enabling faster decision-making during mobility events without increasing real-time complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the centralized platform continuously monitors service usage patterns, platform capacities, and mobility events. This feedback enables dynamic optimization of session placements and migrations, reducing the complexity of manual configuration while maintaining low latency by adapting to current network conditions and service demands.
3Adaptability or versatility
If topology information is exchanged between access nodes via X2 interfaces to enable efficient service selection and migration, then service utilization is improved, but message processing overhead and network traffic increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts topology information and service capability data from frequent X2 interface messages and consolidates this information through the centralized platform. By separating the essential topology data from the full message content and maintaining cached versions, the system reduces redundant message processing while keeping access nodes informed of service availability for efficient session management.
Data Source
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AI summary
An access node (110A, 110B) of a cellular network receives a message (301, 303, 305, 308) from a further access node (110A, 110B) of the cellular network. From the received message (301, 303, 305, 308), the access node extracts topology information indicating one or more application services provided by an application service platform located at the further access node. Further, the access node (110A, 110B) stores the topology information in a topology database (180A, 180B).