5G Virtual Network Broadcast Processing with gNB Packet Replication
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional processing of broadcast packets in 5G networks involves high system resource usage due to the UPF enumerating through numerous PDRs and replicating packets for each PDU session, which is inefficient, especially in 5GaaS scenarios where the UPF is hosted in a public cloud.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a user plane function processes broadcast packets by creating a tunnel management message with a payload that encapsulates the packet, including a virtual network group identifier, and sends it to a base station for unicast data delivery to multiple UEs, bypassing the need for individual packet replication at the UPF.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UPF enumerates through all PDRs and replicates broadcast packets for each PDU session, then complete broadcast delivery to all UEs is achieved, but system resource usage (CPU and memory) increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the packet replication function from the UPF and relocates it to the gNB. The UPF now only performs PDR matching and sends original packets, while the gNB handles the replication to multiple UEs based on stored UE context information. This extraction reduces the computational burden on the UPF while maintaining complete broadcast delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The gNB performs preliminary actions by storing UE context information and establishing associations between UEs and their serving gNBs before broadcast packets arrive. When a broadcast packet needs to be delivered, the gNB can immediately replicate and distribute it to all associated UEs without requiring real-time enumeration at the UPF, thus reducing system resource usage during actual broadcast operations.
2Reliability
If the UPF replicates and sends separate broadcast packets for each PDU session, then individual packet delivery is ensured, but the number of packets transmitted to gNB increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate packet transmission operations into a single transmission. Instead of the UPF sending multiple replicated packets (one per PDU session), the UPF now sends a single original packet to the gNB. The gNB then handles the replication and distribution to multiple UEs, significantly reducing the packet transmission volume between UPF and gNB while ensuring individual packet delivery to each UE.
Solution Approach 2:
The gNB acts as an intermediary between the UPF and multiple UEs. It receives the original broadcast packet from the UPF, stores it temporarily, and then distributes replicated copies to all associated UEs. This intermediary role allows the system to maintain reliable individual packet delivery while reducing the number of packets that need to be transmitted through the core network.
3Manufacturing precision
If the UPF processes broadcast packets by enumerating PDRs for each PDU session, then accurate packet routing is achieved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the broadcast packet processing into two distinct stages: (1) PDR matching and original packet forwarding at the UPF, and (2) packet replication and distribution at the gNB. This segmentation allows the UPF to focus only on accurate PDR matching without the time-consuming replication process, while the gNB handles the time-intensive replication task using pre-stored UE context information, thus reducing overall processing time while maintaining routing accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques and mechanisms for processing broadcast data traffic for a plurality of user equipments (UEs) of a virtual network group are described herein. In one illustrative example, a user plane function may receive a broadcast packet from one of the UEs or a data network; perform a packet detection rule (PDR) lookup for the broadcast packet, for identifying a PDR and a forwarding action rule (FAR) associated with it; process the broadcast packet in accordance with an apply action of the FAR, for creating a tunnel management message having a payload which encapsulates the broadcast packet; and send the tunnel management message to a base station which is configured to perform unicast data delivery of the broadcast packet to each one of at least some of the plurality of UEs of the virtual network group. The user plane function may configured for use in a public cloud for 5G-as-a-Service (5GaaS).