Wireless Access Gateway IP Address Conflict Resolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for integrating cellular and non-cellular networks face challenges such as IP address conflicts and the need for complex Layer 2 integration, which increases deployment costs and disrupts service when user equipment roams between networks.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for a Wireless Access Gateway (WAG) that allocates unique IP addresses and uses data path identifiers to distinguish between different data paths, allowing seamless interconnection of multiple cellular networks with non-cellular networks, and maintains connectivity even when user equipment roams between networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If Layer 2 integration is used to interconnect cellular and non-cellular networks, then network integration capability is improved, but device complexity and deployment cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork integration capabilityVSAvoiddeployment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network integration function into distinct layers: Layer 3 routing handles IP address management and network path selection, while Layer 2 wireless access remains independent. This segmentation allows the WAG to operate at Layer 3 without requiring complex Layer 2 integration, reducing deployment complexity while maintaining network integration capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The Wireless Access Gateway (WAG) acts as an intermediary device between cellular and non-cellular networks. It performs Layer 3 routing functions and IP address management, mediating traffic flow between networks without requiring direct Layer 2 integration. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining integration capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the WAG allocates IP addresses in the non-3GPP domain, then IP address management flexibility is improved, but IP address conflicts occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIP address management flexibilityVSAvoidIP address uniqueness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having the WAG directly allocate IP addresses to UEs in the non-3GPP domain (which causes conflicts), the system inverts the approach: the WAG receives IP addresses from the cellular network's DHCP server and performs NAT translation. This inversion eliminates IP address conflicts while maintaining management flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The WAG creates a mapped relationship between non-3GPP IP addresses and cellular network IP addresses through NAT tables. Rather than directly assigning cellular network IP addresses, it creates virtual mappings that allow flexible IP management in the non-3GPP domain while ensuring unique, conflict-free address allocation through the translation layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If the WAG uses NAT to translate IP addresses, then IP address conflict resolution is improved, but processing overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIP address conflict resolutionVSAvoidprocessing overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The WAG performs preliminary IP address translation and routing rule setup during the initial UE attachment and DHCP process. By pre-establishing NAT mappings and routing rules before data traffic flows, the system minimizes real-time processing overhead during actual data transmission, as the translation logic is already cached and prepared.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If routing rules are established for each UE, then traffic routing accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic routing accuracyVSAvoidrouting rule management

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The WAG implements universal routing rules that apply to multiple UEs simultaneously, rather than creating individual routing rules for each UE. The NAT translation table and routing configuration are designed to handle multiple users with similar traffic patterns through a single set of rules, reducing device complexity while maintaining accurate traffic routing through the use of common translation and routing logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11451489B2Wireless access gateway

Publication Date: 2022.09.20 BRITISH TELECOM PLC

AI summary

A wireless network including a wireless access gateway (WAG) and methods are provided for routing traffic between non-cellular and cellular networks. The WAG interconnects at least one non-cellular network and at least one cellular network in an at least one-to-many relationship. The WAG receives a first IP address for the UE in the cellular domain and the WAG allocates a second IP address for the UE in the non-cellular domain. The WAG creates a routing rule including the first and second IP addresses for the UE and an additional data path identifier.