5G Multicast Session Setup via Group AMF Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The 5G system architecture currently lacks support for multicast/broadcast services, which are essential for various use cases such as V2X scenarios, and existing suggestions do not provide an efficient manner for providing these services in 5G communication networks.
Innovation Solution
A control plane network entity is configured to receive session setup requests for multicast/broadcast sessions, select group AMF entities, and send user plane session setup requests to establish the session, involving identifiers for user equipment and spatial regions, and further configuring the user plane session with attributes like QoS and tunnel end points to facilitate efficient multicast/broadcast service delivery in a 5G network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the 5G system architecture is extended to support multicast/broadcast services, then service capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the existing 5G core network architecture to support both unicast and multicast/broadcast services using common network functions (AMF, SMF, UPF). The AMF is enhanced to handle both individual and group mobility management, while the SMF manages both types of sessions, reducing the need for separate dedicated structures and achieving multi-functionality without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a group AMF concept that segments the control plane functionality specifically for multicast/broadcast services. This allows the system to handle group sessions separately from individual sessions, organizing complexity into manageable segments while maintaining overall system coherence and enabling efficient group-based service delivery
2Productivity
If group AMF entities are selected based on identifiers for multiple user equipments, then service efficiency is improved, but control plane complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables user equipments to self-identify their group membership through group identifiers included in their requests. The group AMF entities use these identifiers to automatically determine routing and session management, reducing the need for complex manual assignment mechanisms and allowing the system to self-organize group sessions efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the group AMF as an intermediary entity between the control plane and user equipments for multicast/broadcast services. This intermediary handles the complexity of group session management, identifier mapping, and coordination between multiple UEs, simplifying the overall control flow while improving session setup efficiency through dedicated group handling
Data Source
AI summary
A control plane network entity for providing a multicast/broadcast service for one or more user equipments in a cellular communication network is provided. The control plane network entity is configured to: receive a session setup request for a multicast/broadcast session for the user equipments, wherein the session setup request comprises one or more identifiers identifying the user equipments and/or one or more spatial regions the user equipments are located in; select one or more access and mobility management function entities of the cellular communication network based on the one or more identifiers for providing the multicast/broadcast session to the user equipments; and send a user plane session setup request to the selected one or more access and mobility management function entities. Moreover, the disclosure relates to a user plane network entity and a radio access network node for anchoring and providing a multicast/broadcast service respectively.