Telecommunication networks

Abstract

A mobile telecommunications network includes a core network (2020) having content processing means (2060, 2070) operable to provide a core network service relating to content, and a radio access network (700, 2003) having radio means for wireless communication with terminals (10) registered with the network, wherein the radio access network (700, 2003) includes a local source of content (741, 1100). The network is arranged to provide the content processing means (2060, 2070) core network service in relation to the content of the local source.

Claims

1. A mobile telecommunications network comprising: a core network having content processing means operable to provide a core network service relating to content, and a radio access network having radio means for wireless communication with terminals registered with the telecommunications network, wherein the radio access network includes a local source of content, wherein the telecommunications network is arranged to copy requests for content used by the registered terminals to request content from the local source, and forward these requests to the core network, such that the core network provides the requested content, and wherein the telecommunications network is arranged to provide the content processing means core network service for the requested content of the local source.

2. The network of claim 1, wherein the radio access network includes control means for selectively disabling access to the local source of content such that required content for the terminal is obtained via the core network and the core network service is provided directly to the content.

3. The network of claim 2, wherein the control means is operable to disable access to the local source of content for a particular target terminal or radio access network node.

4. The network of claim 3, wherein the control means is operable to disable access to the local source content for other ones of the terminals randomly.

5. The network of claim 1, including a database synchronised with the local source of content such that the core network is aware of the content available at the radio access network.

6. The network of claim 5, wherein the database is located between the content processing means and a primary content source.

7. The network of claim 5, wherein the database is associated with processing means operable consult the database to determine whether content is absent from the local source of content and to transmit that content to the content processing means.

8. The network of claim 5, wherein the radio access network is operable to transmit data from the local source of content to the content processing means.

9. A method of operating a mobile telecommunications network including: a core network having content processing means operable to provide a core network service relating to content, and a radio access network having radio means for wireless communication with terminals registered with the telecommunications network, wherein the radio access network includes a local source of content, wherein the telecommunications network is arranged to copy requests for content used by the registered terminals to request content from the local source, and forward these requests to the core network, such that the core network provides the requested content, and wherein the telecommunications network provides the content processing means core network service for the requested content of the local source.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the radio access network includes control means selectively disabling access to the local source of content such that required content for the terminal is obtained via the core network and the core network service is provided directly to the content.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the control means disables access to the local source of content for a particular target terminal or radio access network node.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the control means disables access to the local source content for other ones of the terminals randomly.

13. The method of claim 9, including a database synchronised with the local source of content such that the core network is aware of the content available at the radio access network.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the database is associated with processing means that consults the database to determine whether content is absent from the local source of content and transmits that content to the content processing means.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the radio access network transmits data from the local source of content to the content processing means.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates known a high level packet data network architecture, useful for explaining the prior art and embodiments of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates the introduction of a functional “platform” in a 3G network;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart of an example offload decision process as implemented in the 3G network of FIG. 2

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart of an example offload decision making process that may be implemented by a redirection module

(6) FIG. 5 shows the novel “platform” in more detail provided in the Radio Access Network in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

(7) FIG. 6 shows possible locations of the platform within a mobile telecommunications network;

(8) FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the steps performed when a mobile terminal is activated;

(9) FIG. 8 shows the optimisation of content delivery to a mobile terminal;

(10) FIG. 9 shows a further optimisation of content delivery to a mobile terminal;

(11) FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the procedures performed when a mobile terminal moves within the network;

(12) FIG. 11 shows the transfer of information between platforms;

(13) FIG. 12 shows a modified version of the “platform”;

(14) FIG. 13 shows a system architecture for illustrating the operation of a first embodiment invention;

(15) FIG. 14 shows the system architecture of a second embodiment of the invention;

(16) FIG. 15 shows a third embodiment of the invention;

(17) FIG. 16 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention; and

(18) FIGS. 17 to 23 show various other arrangements for providing core network services in respect of data that is locally cached.

(19) In the figures, like elements are generally designated with reference numbers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(20) An improved arrangement for providing core network services such as LI will now be described. This arrangement uses many of the principles described in relation to FIGS. 1 to 12 above, and these form part of the embodiments to be described.

(21) FIG. 13 shows the system architecture of certain elements of the network. The platform 700 is provided at the network edge in (e)NodeB 2003 and provides functions to the mobile terminal (user entity, UE) 10 by wireless communication. The platform 700 includes a cache 1100. The cache 1100 stores content for delivery of this content to the UE10 when required. The content may be delivered to the cache 1100 by any suitable mechanism, such as those described above. For example, the content may be delivered via the core network or may be delivered via a direct connection 2005 to the internet, which bypasses the core network. The cache 1100 may correspond to the cache 728 of FIG. 5.

(22) The platform 700 further includes an application 741 which may generate content for supply to the UE 10. In practice, a plurality of applications are likely to be hosted on the platform 700.

(23) The platform 700 additionally includes network functions part 704 (see FIG. 5).

(24) It should be understood that, even when content is available at the network edge, a significant amount of content that the UE 10 wishes to consume is likely to be located elsewhere, and this content will be obtained in the conventional manner via the core network.

(25) As discussed above, when content is provided to a UE 10 from the network edge, core network services will be bypassed. This is often unsatisfactory as some core network services, such as LI, are mandatory in some jurisdictions. The below embodiments describe various solutions to this problem.

(26) The platform 700 is connected via an S1 interface to the core network, which comprises a gateway 2020 (e.g. GGSN/P-GW/SAE-GW). The gateway 2020 facilitates the provision of core network functions, such as LI, by LI function 2060, content filtering, by content filtering function 2065, and charging, by charging function 2070. The gateway 2020 may include the functions of gateway 802 in FIG. 6 (hereinafter referred to as SAVi Smart GW 802).

(27) The gateway 2020 receives content from a primary content source 2030, typically via the Internet. This content may be received (in all embodiments) by a packet buffer function 2040 before delivery to the gateway 2020. The primary content is delivered from the primary content source 2030 via Gi LAN 2050.

(28) In the first embodiment, access to content is provided to existing core network services by disabling local edge services (such as disabling the ability to download data from the cache 1100) for particular connected devices 10 when required—so that requests for content are always handled by the core network, and are therefore subject to core network services such as LI and charging. However, it is not sufficient to treat only particular target devices 10 differently as this would allow these devices to be identified—which is generally unacceptable for LI. The embodiment therefore also randomly disables local edge services for other devices 10 using one of the following methods: disabling local edge services at random, or disabling all local edge services for random devices 10.

(29) In this embodiment, a component at the edge of the network (e.g. wifi, LTE eNode-B 2003, 3G Flat Node-B or RNC), which includes the platform 700, maintains a list of required client devices 10 (e.g. mobile handsets owned by LI targets). Uplink data (e.g. a request) from a required client device 10 is received by the edge component platform 700 and immediately repeated towards the core network (e.g. gateway 2020, SP-GW, GGSN or SGSN) for normal processing (e.g. sending to an external WAN address, such as that of primary content source 2030) such that network services (e.g. LI and charging) can occur in the conventional manner without modification. Any subsequent downlink data to the client device UE 10 at the edge of the network is sent as normal in the conventional manner. To avoid detection of this method, impact to other connected devices is randomised by either disabling local edge services (e.g. caching of specific websites) at random, or disabling all local edge services. The randomised disabling of services can be undertaken for just the edge component (platform 700) to which the required device is connected, or across the entire network, depending on the requirements and risk of detection and the impact to client devices.

(30) This embodiment allows the SAVi Smart GW 802 control of all SAVi Network Function 704 by an authentication method to manage and provide co-ordination of SAVi services and subscribers.

(31) The following procedures may be implemented: 1. Disabling locally served content by the SAVi Smart GW 802 when a subscriber is a Lawful Intercepted Identified Target. In this case provide SAVi Network Function 704 traffic routing to replicate all content and applications from the gateway (e.g. SP-GW or GGSN) 2020 or via the Gi LAN 2050 to ensure continuity of service for the end user or application. 2. When a subscriber is an LI target, then disable random number of SAVi services via the SAVi Smart GW 802 for a serving (e)Node-B. Additionally switch-out a random number of active or idle devices 10 within the (e)Node-B. 3. When an Access Node (e.g. (e)NB 2003 or platform 700) is under O&M control then disable and switch out all access to any function that provides a view of current subscriber registrations on the Access Node. This is advantageous for privacy. 4. Allow SAVi content to be defined with original ISP addressing to ensure all content received by the Subscriber device UE 10 contains identical addressing when not served from local SAVi Platform 700. Depending on IRI data legal requirements for LEAs this may not be required. 5. Allow optional capability to randomise SAVi Platform 700 served content versus content served from Gi interface 2050 which operates in combination with other LI supporting procedures.

(32) This arrangement may have the following advantages: Medium system impact, with the re-use of existing LI systems. Fulfils LI evidence requirements.

(33) A second embodiment (SAVi Smart GW 802 located in the Gi LAN 2050: no direct connection to the LI nodes) is shown in FIG. 14. In this embodiment, the SAVi Smart GW 802 is located in the Gi LAN 2050 and has no direct connection to the LI nodes 2060 and 3000.

(34) In the FIG. 14 SAVi Smart GW 802 is located in the Gi LAN 2050 and has a SAVi Cached List function 4010. Within this list all the cached content 1100 and the content delivery network, CDN, content (e.g. from the primary content source 2030) is listed per SAVi Network Function 704. This requires details of where the content is stored and a method to identify and synchronise in detail the stored content.

(35) In this proposal all the requested content is downloaded from the cache 1100 or primary content source 2030 within the Gi LAN 2050 (or via a peering point beyond the Gi LAN 2050, such as the Internet). If the content is cached at the SAVi Cache 1100 already then the content is delivered to the UE 10 via the cache 1100, primary content source 2030 or Peering point as mentioned above. This is required to bring the content to the gateway (e.g. GGSN) 2020 for LI and the other listed mandatory core network functions.

(36) As mentioned within this scenario the SAVi Smart GW 802 is located in the Gi LAN 2050. The advantage here is that the content known from the cache list 4010 does not need to be transmitted again to the gateway (e.g. GGSN) 2020. The content already in the cache 1100 would be discarded already at the SAVi Smart GW 802.

(37) However in this case it is still open how to do LI for content served from the SAVi Server cache 1100 at the radio location 700 which is not passing the GGSN 2020. To overcome this limitation the cached content also needs to be send to the LI ADMF (administration function)/DF (delivery function) 3000.

(38) A third embodiment (SAVi Smart GW 802 located in the Gi LAN 2050: No direct link to LI nodes and using LI Probes) is shown in FIG. 15. In this embodiment, the SAVi Smart GW 802 is located in the Gi LAN 2050. To allow the support of LI all traffic is sent to a so called LI Probe system 3010.

(39) Within this proposal all the content will be sent to the LI Probe System 3010 and therefore LI works together with a Radius link to obtain MS-ISDN, IMSI, IP and the IP addresses. Again, the SAVi Smart GW 802 discards all the cached content to limit the capacity needed on the gateway (e.g. GGSN/PGW) 2020.

(40) However, the disadvantages are that the LI Probe 3010 needs to handle all content and the LI ADMF/DF 3000 has to handle the “Non Cached Content” twice. The “Non Cached Content” will be send from the LI Probe System 3010 connected to the Gi system 2050 and the gateway (e.g. GGSN/PGW) 2020.

(41) A fourth embodiment (SAVi Smart GW 802 located in the Gi LAN 2050: Direct connected to LI Probe System) is shown in FIG. 16. In this embodiment, the SAVi Smart GW 802 is located in the Gi LAN 2050 as already shown in the FIGS. 14 and 15. To allow the support of LI all traffic is sent to a so called LI Probe system 3010.

(42) To overcome the limitation shown in the architecture of FIG. 15 the LI Probe System 3010 is connected directly with the SAVi Smart GW 802.

(43) In the architecture shown in FIG. 16 all the content terminates just once with the LI system and LI is possible for all the data. This is based on the fact that all the content needs to be transmitted towards the gateway (e.g. GGSN) 2020 via the Cache or primary content source 2030 associated with the Gi LAN 2050 or via the peering point.

(44) Nevertheless the solution requires two additional nodes where the SAVi Smart GW 802 has to take care about all the content. Therefore the SAVi Smart GW 802 requires similar throughput capacity as the gateway (e.g. GGSN) 2020. The LI Probe System 3010 has to take care about all cached content. This could require also a huge capacity node.

(45) Disadvantages here are the limited control possibilities as the SAVi Smart GW 802 is not fully integrated into the network (standalone) and the additional use of two nodes.

(46) FIG. 17 shows a Gi LAN Copy Solution. UE 10 requests data which is intercepted by local SAVi Cache 1100 of the platform 700 at the flat Node-B 2003. Downlink data is copied and forwarded via Gi interface 2050 to perform Core functions. Uplink data is GTP-U tunnelled to the GGSN 2020 across Gn. GGSN 2020 drops Uplink packets sent by RNC. Gateway (e.g. GGSN) 2020 drops Downlink′ packets sent by SAVi Network Function 704. The GGSN 2020 performs the following functions: GGSN to drop Uplink packets sent by RNC. Open Sub-net addressing to allow IPm addressing on Gi. Allow packets from source addressing IPs (SAVi server). GGSN to drop Downlink′ packets sent by SAVi Server.

(47) FIG. 18 shows a Loop Solution. UE 10 requests data which is intercepted by local SAVi Cache 1100 at the flat Node-B 2003. Downlink & Uplink data is copied and looped via Gi interface 2050 to perform Core functions where it is terminated at the RNC. Uplink data is GTP-U tunnelled to the gateway (e.g. GGSN) 2020 across Gn and back to RNC via Gi LAN 2050.

(48) FIG. 19 shows a Transparent Solution. UE 10 Uplink data request is repeated towards the Core, where the cached data flow is identically replicated by the original primary content 2030 Web Server (for example) towards the gateway (e.g. GGSN) 2020.

(49) FIG. 20 shows a Copy Transparent Solution. This solution applies to a subscriber (UE 10) being served either by (1) local content 1100 by SAVi Platform 700 at an Access Network Edge with no direct Core functions, or (2) Content Optimisation originating at an SSP. The proposed solution is to re-use existing functions and interfaces to perform LI and Charging. This concept requires a SAVi Platform 700 on an Access Node (eNode-B) and SAVi Service Platform (SSP) inside the Gi LAN 2050. The following interfaces are defined: 1. Gi SAVi interface. Gi SAVi interface connects a SAVi Platform 700 to a SSP. A bridged Access Core Transport network is required to support such an interface. 2. SAVi Content Source interface inside the Gi LAN 2050. Connects SSP to multiple S-P GW's 2020.

(50) The copy solution of FIG. 22 runs the risk of generating uplink congestion affecting throughput performance. A number of techniques and features may be employed to mitigate or eliminate this risk. Two features include:

(51) [1] COPY with Throttling

(52) Introduce traffic shaping within the GTP-U NTS and GTP-U TAP functions on the SAVi platform 700 to reduce the peak throughput when congestion is detected in the uplink. This is based on detecting and estimating the aggregate instantaneous bandwidth, known by the NTS 700 since (1) normally all S1 traffic passes through it and or (2) the BBU 2003 for the case of network sharing or other eNB configurations, versus the configured transport bandwidth. This covers both edge content and edge applications for end-point more traffic used cases.

(53) A fail-to-wire option is another variant. NTS requires uplink load detection functions to mitigate performance risks.

(54) [2] COPY with Local CDN Reference

(55) Introduce a Cache List Reference method of optimising and replicating copy downlink traffic from the Access Edge towards the Packet Gateway for LI and Charging purposes. This covers only pre-loaded edge content for end-point mode traffic used cases.

(56) FIG. 21 shows the Copy throttle feature. The Copy Function is extended to support detection and throttling of SAVi cache 1100 served content via GTP-U SAVi interface. Throttling only applies in the case where S1 Uplink is in congestion. It is expected that this case would be rare. However this needs to be agreed by the LEA as the content will not be delivered in nearly real time.

(57) Fail-to-wire under uplink congestion detection is simpler option and is shown in FIG. 22. At (1) SAVi Network Function 704 provides capability to detect uplink congestion and fail-to-wire all subsequent attempts to request any edge content 1100 and applications 741 in end-point mode traffic used cases based on a timer or low load detection to reset the SAVi Network Function 704. Performance impact should be acceptable considering the likelihood of uplink load congestion should be rare. However this needs to be agreed by the LEA as the content will not be delivered in nearly real time.

(58) (2) COPY downlink data is tunnelled via SAVi Smart GW 802 to support multiple GI LANs 2050 and mobility use cases.

(59) FIG. 23 shows the Copy local CDN reference feature. (1) A Hierarchical CDN is implemented in the Core and Access Network where content is regularly synchronised and validated before use through a cache list mechanism. Content is local hosted within SAVi platform 700, where data is held in Objects, Packet Segments or Chunks that can be referenced back in the host CDN. (2) Upon UE 10 request local hosted data is downloaded (Cache List). Uplink data is GTP-U tunnelled to the gateway (e.g. GGSN) 2020 across Gn. Gateway (e.g. GGSN) 2020 drops Uplink packets sent by RNC. (3) After packet segments are successfully downloaded, the cache list reference is sent to the CDN (out of band preferably) to be replayed in full towards the gateway (e.g. S-P Gateway) 2020. These packets are dropped after Charging and LI functions are completed.

REFERENCES

(60) The content of the following documents is fully incorporated herein by reference:

(61) 3GPP TS 33.106, 3G security; Lawful Interception requirements

(62) 3GPP TS 33.107, 3G security; Lawful interception architecture and functions

(63) 3GPP TS 33.108, 3G security; Handover interface for Lawful Interception (LI)

(64) 3GPP TS 36.423, E-UTRAN; X2 application protocol (X2AP)

(65) 3GPP TS 36.300, E-UTRAN; E-UTRA Overall description; Stage 2

(66) RFC 1072

(67) RFC2018