Wireless Traffic Re-routing via Local Anchoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current application-layer traffic optimization (ALTO) standards are inadequate for mobile networks, leading to network congestion and inefficiencies in traffic routing, as they are based on fixed network assumptions and lack optimal re-routing mechanisms, compromising network utilization and security.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for traffic re-routing in wireless networks that involves user equipment (UE) registration, application-level message exchange, and intelligent traffic anchoring within the same access network, utilizing existing wireless infrastructure and eliminating the need for additional entities like Liquid Application Servers, while ensuring security and privacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traffic is routed through the core network in mobile networks, then network coverage and connectivity are ensured, but transport network congestion increases and network utilization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoidnetwork utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network routing path by introducing local anchoring points within the radio access network that can independently handle P2P traffic. This divides the traditional core-network-dependent routing into local and remote components, allowing traffic to be routed locally when possible and through the core only when necessary, thereby reducing congestion while maintaining connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary anchoring mechanism within the radio access network that mediates between the UE and the core network. This intermediary can anchor traffic locally within the same access network, reducing the need for traffic to traverse the entire core network path while still providing network-controlled routing and maintaining connectivity reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If traffic anchoring is implemented at the core network, then centralized control is maintained, but transport network congestion increases and offloading benefits are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentralized controlVSAvoidtransport network capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the anchoring function by distributing anchoring capabilities to multiple points within the radio access network rather than concentrating them solely at the core network. This segmentation allows traffic to be anchored locally at access network elements, reducing transport network congestion while maintaining centralized control through the network's ability to manage and coordinate these distributed anchors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing ALTO discovery mechanisms are used, then peer-to-peer connection establishment is enabled, but coordination time increases and service deployment complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveP2P connection capabilityVSAvoiddiscovery coordination time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing anchoring relationships and routing policies within the radio access network before P2P traffic needs to be routed. The network elements are pre-configured with the capability to anchor traffic locally, and discovery mechanisms are simplified to leverage these pre-established relationships, reducing the coordination time required for P2P connection establishment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If network topology and policy are exposed to P2P services, then traffic optimization is enabled, but security risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic optimization efficiencyVSAvoidsecurity vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer within the radio access network that mediates between the P2P services and the network topology. This intermediary provides the necessary routing information and optimization data to P2P services without directly exposing the underlying network topology and policies, thereby enabling traffic optimization while maintaining security by hiding sensitive network information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9788229B2Method and apparatus for traffic re-routing based on application-layer traffic optimization services in wireless networks

Publication Date: 2017.10.10 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY

AI summary

Communication systems may benefit from a naming, traffic re-routing scheme based on application-layer traffic optimization services. A method may include sending a registration request to a first network element from at least two UE and receiving a registration response from the first network element to the at least two UE. The method may include sending an application registration to a second network element from the at least two UE and receiving an application list notification from the second network element to the at least two UE. The method may include exchanging an application-level message between the at least two UE. The method may include sending a request to anchor the at least two UE traffic to a third network element and receiving a unique identifier generated from the first network element to the at least two UE. The method may include exchanging application signaling and data between the at least two UE.