Collocating gNB-CU-UP and UPF to Reduce Transmission Delay

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Solution Overview

Problem

The current 5G System (5GS) architecture is too redundant, leading to increased transmission delays in user data handling, which is inadequate for time-critical applications such as remote machine control and drone control, where low latency is required.

Innovation Solution

A method that includes executing functions of a gNB Centralized Unit User Plane (gNB-CU-UP) and User Plane Function (UPF) apparatus, communicating with a gNB Distributed Unit (gNB-DU) and gNB Centralized Unit Control Plane (gNB-CU-CP) apparatus, optimizing user plane handling by reducing redundant components and improving latency through collocated gNB-CU-UP and UPF configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the current 5GS architecture with separate gNB-CU-UP and UPF apparatus is used, then the system provides complete functional separation and flexibility, but the transmission delay increases due to redundant components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission delayVSAvoidnumber of user plane entities

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the gNB-CU-UP apparatus and UPF apparatus into a single collocated entity, where the gNB-CU-UP and UPF share the same housing and internal communication bus. This merging eliminates the need for external N3 interface communication between separate devices, reducing transmission delay while maintaining the functional separation of user plane processing and core network connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple user plane entities (gNB-DU, gNB-CU-UP, UPF) are used to handle user data, then the system provides distributed processing and reliability, but the transmission delay increases with each additional entity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser data handling reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested architecture where the gNB-CU-UP apparatus is placed inside the UPF apparatus housing, with the gNB-CU-UP functioning as an internal component of the UPF system. This nesting allows user data to be processed internally without leaving the collocated entity, maintaining reliability through distributed processing while minimizing transmission delay by eliminating external communication hops.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Loss of time

If the gNB-CU-UP and UPF are collocated in the same apparatus, then the transmission delay is reduced, but the device complexity and integration requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission delayVSAvoidintegration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the collocated gNB-CU-UP and UPF apparatus into distinct functional modules that communicate through an internal bus structure. Each module maintains its independent functionality while being physically integrated into a single housing, making the system manufacturable through modular assembly while achieving the low-latency benefits of collocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20240365409A1METHOD OF gNB-CU-CP APPARATUS, METHOD OF AMF APPARATUS AND gNB-CU-CP APPARATUS

Publication Date: 2024.10.31 NEC CORP

AI summary

This disclosure proposes solutions for providing an optimized User plane handling in 5GS.A method of a communication apparatus includes executing a function of a gNB Centralized Unit User Plane (gNB-CU-UP) apparatus and function of a User Plain Function (UPF) apparatus, communicating with a gNB Distributed Unit (gNB-DU) apparatus, and communicating with a gNB Centralized Unit-Control Plane (gNB-CU-CP) apparatus.