Method and apparatus for user plane function selection

EP4748194A1Pending Publication Date: 2026-05-27TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
Filing Date
2024-07-16
Publication Date
2026-05-27

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing communication networks face challenges in efficiently selecting the optimal User Plane Function (UPF) for user plane traffic, particularly in non-3GPP access scenarios, which can lead to increased network resource consumption and longer transfer paths.

Method used

The proposed solution involves allowing UPFs to register their preferred Access Type Interworking Gateways (ATIGs) with a repository, such as the Network Function Repository Function (NRF), enabling network nodes like the Session Management Function (SMF) to select a preferred UPF based on the indicated ATIG, thereby optimizing the transfer path and resource efficiency.

Benefits of technology

This approach enables improved UPF selection for various access types, optimizing the transfer path and reducing resource consumption, thereby enhancing network performance and efficiency.

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  • Figure EP2024070125_30012025_PF_FP_ABST
    Figure EP2024070125_30012025_PF_FP_ABST
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Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for user plane function (UPF) selection The method which may be performed by a first network node comprises: transmitting first information indicating an access type interworking gateway (ATIG) towards a second network node, and receiving a list of UPFs transmitted by the second network node. The ATIG indicated by the first information is preferred for each of the list of the UPFs according to second information per UPF registered at the second network node. The second information per UPF indicates one or more preferred ATIGs for the UPF. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises: selecting a UPF preferred for the ATIG from the list of the UPFs.
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