AGF Multicast Replication via Primary Secondary Tunnels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multicast systems in 5G networks face inefficiencies in bandwidth usage due to redundant traffic replication between Access Gateway Function (AGF) and User Plane Function (UPF) nodes, particularly exacerbated by the increasing demand for IPTV and 4K content, leading to degraded performance.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an AGF node that manages multicast stream replication by establishing a primary tunnel for the initial request and secondary tunnels for subsequent join requests, only replicating and transmitting the stream through secondary tunnels if the primary tunnel fails, thereby reducing redundant traffic and optimizing bandwidth usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the same multicast stream is replicated and transmitted via multiple tunnels between AGF node and UPF node for each receiving gateway, then each gateway can receive the multicast stream, but network bandwidth between AGF and UPF is over-utilized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulticast stream deliveryVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the tunnel structure into primary and secondary tunnels. The primary tunnel carries the original multicast stream from UPF to AGF, while secondary tunnels are used only for replication at the AGF side. This segmentation allows multiple gateways to receive the stream without creating multiple full-path tunnels, thus reducing bandwidth utilization between UPF and AGF.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The AGF node acts as an intermediary that receives the multicast stream through the primary tunnel and then replicates it to multiple secondary tunnels leading to different gateways. This intermediary role allows the system to serve multiple gateways efficiently by performing replication at the AGF level rather than maintaining multiple direct tunnels from UPF to each gateway.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple tunnels are established between AGF node and UPF node to serve multiple receiving gateways, then each gateway can independently receive the multicast stream, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegateway connection flexibilityVSAvoidtunnel management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tunnel system is segmented into one primary tunnel and multiple secondary tunnels. The primary tunnel maintains a simple, stable connection between UPF and AGF, while secondary tunnels are created only when needed for specific gateways. This segmentation reduces overall tunnel management complexity compared to maintaining multiple full tunnels for every gateway.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tunnel structure is made dynamic: secondary tunnels are created on-demand when gateways need to join the multicast group and are removed when gateways leave. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing gateway requirements without permanently maintaining complex tunnel structures, thus reducing device complexity while preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If multicast streams are transmitted through multiple secondary tunnels for each gateway, then each gateway can receive the stream, but redundant traffic is generated between AGF and UPF

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegateway access to multicast streamVSAvoidredundant traffic

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the replication function from the UPF-AGF tunnel path and places it at the AGF side. The primary tunnel carries only the original stream without replication, and secondary tunnels are created only for the final distribution segment from AGF to gateways. This extraction eliminates redundant traffic between UPF and AGF while maintaining easy gateway access to the multicast stream.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11825534B2Multicast replication in 5G networks

Publication Date: 2023.11.21 JUNIPER NETWORKS INC

AI summary

An Access Gateway Function (AGF) node can receive requests to join a multicast stream from a computing device. If the request is the first request to join the multicast stream, the AGF can forward the request to the UPF node. The multicast stream is then received via a tunnel between the AGF node and UPF node that is associated with the computing device. The tunnel associated with the first computing device to request joining the multicast stream can be a primary tunnel for the multicast stream. Subsequent requests to join the same multicast stream can cause the AGF node add tunnels associated with the requesting computing devices as secondary tunnels. The multicast stream is received via the primary tunnel and replicated to computing devices associated with the secondary tunnels. A secondary tunnel may be promoted to a primary tunnel in response to a failure or disconnection of the primary tunnel.