5G Access Manager Local Handover via Distributed Control Plane
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Solution Overview
Problem
5G wireless communication systems face challenges in supporting diverse use cases due to their one-size-fits-all network architecture, which is optimized for mobile broadband, and require a more flexible architecture to handle various network requirements efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The method involves an access manager in the control plane of a first site, remote from a second site, which receives information about mobility events and provides necessary information to User Plane Functions (UPFs) without passing through the central control plane of the second site, allowing for optimized local handovers without informing the session manager, thereby reducing processing steps and latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the control plane is centralized in a single site, then system management and control is simplified, but latency increases and the system cannot support diverse use cases efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The control plane is segmented into multiple distributed control plane nodes across different sites. Each node can independently handle mobility events and provide services, eliminating the single-point bottleneck and reducing latency for local operations while maintaining centralized coordination capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-site centralized control plane to a multi-site distributed control plane architecture. This dimensional change from one location to multiple locations enables both low-latency local handling and coordinated centralized management, supporting diverse use cases with different latency requirements.
2Reliability
If mobility event information is routed through the centralized control plane, then centralized control is maintained, but processing steps increase and latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
Control plane nodes are pre-configured with authorization information and policies during system initialization. When mobility events occur, nodes can immediately execute authorized actions locally without waiting for centralized approval, improving processing efficiency while maintaining centralized control through pre-established policies.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed control plane nodes act as intermediaries between the radio access network and the centralized control functions. They handle mobility event processing locally as intermediaries, reducing the number of processing steps and latency, while still operating under the oversight and policy guidance of the centralized control architecture.
3Stability of the object's composition
If all control plane functions are performed at the centralized site, then system consistency is maintained, but energy consumption increases and the system is vulnerable to single-point failures
Solution Approach 1:
Control plane functions are segmented and distributed across multiple sites. Each control plane node handles local mobility events independently, reducing the energy burden on any single node and eliminating single-point failures. System consistency is maintained through coordinated operation of the distributed nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
Each control plane node is equipped with local authorization and decision-making capabilities appropriate to its site. This local quality enables autonomous handling of mobility events without requiring constant communication with the centralized site, reducing energy consumption while maintaining system-wide consistency through shared policies and coordination mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an access manager (18A), and a method performed by the access manager (18a) of transferring data in a wireless communication system comprising a control plane distributed over at least one first site (30) and over at least one second site (40), wherein a session manager (18b) is arranged in the control plane of the second site (40) and the access manager (18a) is arranged in the control plane of the first site (30), the first site being remote from the second site and located physically closer to a radio access network (11) of the wireless communication system. In an aspect of the invention, a method is provided comprising receiving (S201) information regarding a mobility event where access of a wireless communication device (10) is being transferred from a source access point to a target access point, the access points being connected to said at least one first site (30), providing (S202, S203-S205) one or more UPFs (22) serving the wireless communication device (10) with information identifying the target access point and information identifying the wireless communication device (10), wherein the information is provided to the one or more UPFs (22) without passing the control plane of the second site (40); and acquiring (S206) information indicating if the access manager (18a) is allowed to finish its mobility event procedure without informing the session manager (18b) that the access of the wireless communication device (10) is being transferred; and if so finishing (S207) the mobility event procedure without informing the session manager (18b) that the access of the wireless communication device (10) is being transferred.