Conditional Packet Forwarding Control Rules in 5G UPF
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current protocols in the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and Fifth Generation (5G) Core network lack mechanisms for conditional packet forwarding control rules, particularly for multi-access scenarios, and do not support time-of-day activation of Packet Forwarding Control Rules, leading to inefficiencies in traffic steering and signaling management.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a generic mechanism that allows the Control Plane Function to provide packet forwarding control rules with rule enforcement conditions, including correlation identities and time-of-day parameters, to control when and how these rules are enforced, enabling more flexible and efficient packet forwarding across 3GPP and non-3GPP accesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If packet forwarding control rules are activated at certain time of day to manage traffic patterns, then network traffic management efficiency is improved, but signaling storm risks increase due to simultaneous rule activations across multiple UEs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring packet forwarding control rules with time-of-day conditions in the UPF before they are needed. The CPF provisions rules with activation conditions (specific times or events) in advance, so when the activation time arrives, the UPF can automatically enforce the rule without requiring real-time signaling from the CPF. This prevents signaling storms while maintaining efficient traffic management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the UPF to autonomously evaluate and enforce time-based conditions without continuous CPF intervention. Once the CPF provisions the rules with time conditions, the UPF independently monitors the current time against the stored conditions and automatically activates or deactivates rules as needed, reducing the need for ongoing control plane signaling.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the Control Plane Function provisions packet forwarding control rules with time conditions to each UPF, then localized traffic management is improved, but control plane processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the rule provisioning process into discrete, standardized PFCP rules that can be independently configured and enforced. Each UPF receives specific rules with time conditions tailored to its local traffic management needs, allowing distributed decision-making without overwhelming the control plane. The segmentation of concerns between CPF (rule provisioning) and UPF (rule enforcement) reduces control plane processing load.
3Ease of operation
If packet forwarding control rules are enforced without time conditions, then simplicity of rule enforcement is maintained, but ability to optimize network performance during different time periods is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing time-of-day conditions as additional parameters in the PFCP rules. These conditions allow the same rule structure to adapt its enforcement behavior based on the current time, enabling network performance optimization during different periods (e.g., peak vs. off-peak hours) while maintaining the same underlying rule framework and enforcement mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a method for implementing conditional packet forwarding control rules, performed by User Plane Function (UPF). The method comprises: receiving, from a Control Plane Function (CPF) a packet forwarding control rule comprising one or more rule enforcement conditions; and applying the packet forwarding control rule according to the rule enforcement condition(s).