5G LAN Interworking With Home Networks Using UPF Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in seamlessly integrating 5G LAN services with existing in-home LANs, ensuring uninterrupted communication and maintaining quality of experience as devices switch between 5G and non-5G networks, while addressing privacy and security concerns in residential environments.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves the use of a new reference point 'Nx' between two UPFs for direct traffic routing, along with packet detection and buffering rules, enabling smooth interworking between 3GPP and non-3GPP devices within an extended 5G LAN, ensuring continuous 5G LAN service during access technology changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If 5G LAN service is implemented with direct routing between UPFs using reference point Nx, then traffic forwarding efficiency and service continuity are improved, but network complexity and configuration management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Packet Detection Rule (PDR) and Forwarding Action Rule (FAR) as intermediary mechanisms that mediate between the UPFs and the core network control functions. These rules act as standardized interfaces that simplify the configuration process while enabling efficient direct routing, thus resolving the contradiction between forwarding efficiency and configuration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes configurable parameters within the PDR and FAR structures to dynamically adjust routing behavior. By changing parameters such as packet detection conditions and forwarding actions, the system can optimize traffic forwarding efficiency without requiring fundamental changes to network architecture, thereby maintaining manageable complexity.
2Reliability
If packet buffering rules are implemented at UPF to maintain service during access changes, then service continuity is improved, but buffering resource consumption and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements selective buffering where only specific packets that require service continuity during access technology changes are buffered at the UPF, rather than buffering all traffic. This partial action approach maintains service continuity for critical packets while minimizing unnecessary buffering latency for other traffic types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring buffering rules and packet detection mechanisms before access changes occur. This allows the UPF to immediately buffer appropriate packets when access technology changes are detected, ensuring service continuity without excessive latency while avoiding unnecessary buffering of packets that don't require it.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method performed by a network entity includes receiving a first instruction element (IE) indicating an identity of a wireless device and receiving a second IE indicating an action to buffer data intended for the wireless device, buffering the data intended for the wireless device, receiving a third IE indicating the identity of the wireless device and receiving a fourth IE indicating an action to stop buffering data and release the buffered data intended for the wireless device. The network entity then may transmit at least a portion of the buffered data to the wireless device.