A Distributed Core Network Architecture for 5G Systems and Beyond

This paper presents a distributed core network architecture for use in future cellular systems. The proposed architecture addresses the performance bottlenecks and latency associated with the centralized control and data gateways used in today's mobile core networks. A fully distributed architecture for the mobile core is realized through the use of identifier-based protocol extensions to IP which run on base stations (eNodeB) and routers without the need for centralized gateways. The resulting "flat" mobile core network is capable of supporting a variety of mobility and IoT services with significantly lower latency and improved throughput relative to current solutions. Specific data plane service examples including service chaining and local VOIP are given. The paper concludes with an evaluation of control and data-plane overhead for a large US-scale cellular network operator in the proposed architecture.