VNF Manager for Roaming UE Service Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to efficiently utilize radio base stations as NFVI in communication networks to provide services to roaming user equipment (UE) while minimizing latency and network transmission bandwidth, especially for time-critical machine-to-machine (M2M) communication.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining trigger conditions for handing over service delivery from a source radio base station to a target radio base station, where virtualized network functions (VNFs) are dynamically deployed on the target station to ensure continuous service provisioning to roaming UE, using a VNF manager to deploy and manage VNFs across radio base stations based on signal strength and service requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If VNFs are hosted on centrally located powerful server nodes, then processing capability is improved, but latency and network transmission bandwidth are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized VNF hosting function into distributed VNF instances across multiple radio base stations. Each base station hosts local VNFs that can process data locally, eliminating the need to transmit all data to centralized servers. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by distributing processing capability closer to data sources while maintaining adequate computational power through collective base station resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension to processing by deploying VNFs across the geographic distribution of radio base stations rather than concentrating them in a single data center. This dimensional shift allows processing to occur at multiple locations simultaneously, reducing latency for geographically distributed users while collectively maintaining sufficient processing power across the network.
2Loss of time
If VNFs are dynamically deployed on radio base stations to reduce latency, then response time is improved, but device complexity and resource management complexity are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a VNF manager as an intermediary component that handles the complexity of dynamic VNF deployment, instantiation, and management. This intermediary abstracts the complex resource management tasks from individual radio base stations, providing a centralized control mechanism that simplifies the overall system while enabling dynamic VNF deployment to reduce latency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic VNF deployment where VNFs can be instantiated, moved, or scaled on radio base stations based on real-time service requirements and resource availability. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing conditions, providing low latency when needed while automatically managing the complexity through on-demand resource allocation rather than static pre-configuration.
3Loss of energy
If VNFs are hosted locally on radio base stations, then network bandwidth usage is reduced, but infrastructure cost and device complexity are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes radio base stations multi-functional by enabling them to host VNFs in addition to their traditional radio access functions. This universality allows base stations to provide both connectivity and localized processing services, reducing network bandwidth usage for processing tasks while utilizing existing infrastructure rather than requiring separate dedicated processing facilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables radio base stations to self-provision VNF resources by utilizing their own spare computing capacity. Base stations can independently manage and allocate their local resources for VNF hosting, reducing the need for additional centralized infrastructure while minimizing network bandwidth consumption for local processing tasks.
Data Source
AI summary
The application relates to Network Function Virtualisation as standardised by ETSI GS NFV002 VI.2.1. The standard provides for dynamic instantiation and management of VNF instances. When using base stations as platforms on which VNFs can be instantiated, it has to be decided how this is done in an efficient way. The application proposes that in case a UE moves from an area covered by a source base station (210) to an area covered by a target base station (220), at least one VNF (250) is deployed on the target base station. This VNF may be a clone of a VNF (240) hosted by the source bases station.