5GS-TSN Interworking Signaling for Deterministic Backhaul Streams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile telecommunication systems, such as 5G and LTE, face challenges in efficiently interworking with Time Sensitive Networks (TSN) to support deterministic applications and reduce end-to-end latency and enhance packet delivery.
Innovation Solution
Implement a signaling mechanism that enables interworking between 5G System (5GS) and TSN transport networks by using network functions like TSN AF and TSCTSF to map stream requirements, schedule information, and configure QoS flows, supporting both TSN aware and unaware devices in the backhaul network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If 5G system integrates with TSN network to support deterministic applications, then packet delivery reliability and time sensitivity are improved, but network complexity and interworking configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces TSN AF (Application Function) and TSCTSF (Time Sensitive Communication Time Synchronization Function) as intermediary network functions that bridge 5G and TSN networks. These intermediaries handle the complex mapping between 5G QoS parameters and TSN stream requirements, isolating the complexity from the core 5G network while enabling deterministic packet delivery through standardized interfaces and protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the interworking functionality into distinct network functions: TSN AF for application-level TSN stream management, TSCTSF for time synchronization, and SMF for 5G session management. This segmentation allows each function to specialize in specific tasks, improving reliability through focused functionality while managing overall system complexity through modular architecture.
2Loss of time
If signaling mechanism is implemented for 5GS-TSN interworking, then end-to-end latency is reduced, but signaling overhead and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing QoS flows and configuring network resources during PDU session establishment before time-sensitive traffic arrives. The SMF pre-configures the user plane with appropriate QoS parameters, and TSN AF pre-maps stream requirements, enabling immediate low-latency forwarding without real-time negotiation overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms TSN stream parameters (stream ID, bandwidth, latency requirements) into 5G QoS parameters (5QI, QoS flow ID, bandwidth parameters) through standardized mapping relationships. This parameter transformation enables seamless interworking while reducing signaling complexity by using established parameter sets from both standards rather than creating new signaling messages.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method may include configuring a first network element and a user plane function to expose port information of a first network element and a user plane function to a backhaul network. Associated identifiers of the first network element and the user plane function may be received from a second network element. Second stream requirements may be determined in 5GS for the streams transmitted through SGS. First stream requirements may be derived for a stream to be transmitted between a talker and a listener, and talker and listener identifiers which are the identifiers of the first network element or the user plane function for the backhaul centralized network configurator. Configurations are received of the first network element and the user plane function. Additionally, a protocol data unit session modification procedure may be triggered for the stream.