5G TSN Virtual Bridge Reservation Handling for Centralized CNC Control

The patent introduces a TSN Application Function (AF) as an intermediary entity that mediates between the centralized network configuration and the distributed user equipment. The TSN AF receives TSN stream information from user equipment, performs local processing and translation of reservation information, and interacts with the 5G core network configuration functions. This intermediary layer simplifies the configuration management burden while maintaining centralized control benefits, as it handles the complexity of TSN-specific configuration protocols and translates them into 5G network-compatible formats.

The patent segments the reservation information management process into multiple components: user equipment generates TSN stream information, the TSN Application Function processes and translates reservation information locally, and the centralized network configuration entity receives already-processed information. This segmentation allows critical processing to occur at the edge (reducing latency) while maintaining centralized coordination (preserving allocation efficiency). The TSN AF acts as a local processing node that prepares information before centralized submission.

The patent implements a universal TSN Application Function that handles multiple TSN protocols and stream types through a unified interface. The TSN AF is designed to process various TSN stream information formats, translate them into common 5G network configuration formats, and manage diverse reservation requirements. This multi-functional design allows the system to support multiple time-sensitive application types (industrial automation, vehicular communication, augmented reality) without requiring separate operational procedures for each, thereby maintaining ease of operation while achieving high adaptability.