Control Plane Load Balancing for 5G Network Function Overload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Next Generation mobile networks, such as 5G NR, face issues with network function overload due to simultaneous processing of control plane messages, leading to potential message congestion and buffer overflow, which existing technologies fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Communication Control Function (CCF) that acts as a switch to provide overload protection, load balancing, and network selection for control plane traffic by buffering packets, determining traffic loads and resource availability, and offloading traffic to suitable network instances based on latency tolerance and overload conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If control plane messages are processed simultaneously in Next Generation mobile networks, then data transfer rates and spectral efficiency are improved, but network functions become overloaded leading to message congestion and buffer overflow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Control Plane Load Balancing Function (CLBF) as an intermediary component that receives control plane messages from multiple network functions, buffers them, and redistributes them to available network function instances. This mediator prevents any single network function from becoming overloaded while maintaining high data transfer rates by coordinating message distribution across the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments control plane traffic into multiple streams that can be independently routed to different network function instances. By dividing the control plane message flow and distributing it across multiple parallel processing paths, the system achieves both high throughput and load balancing, preventing any single function from becoming a bottleneck or failing due to overload.
2Reliability
If multiple instances of network functions are deployed for load balancing, then overload protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The CLBF is designed as a universal function that can serve multiple network function types (AMF, SMF, UPF, etc.) simultaneously. This multi-functional approach allows the system to deploy multiple instances for load balancing without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same CLBF architecture handles diverse network function traffic patterns and requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the CLBF continuously monitors the load status of network function instances and dynamically adjusts message routing accordingly. This feedback-driven approach automates load balancing decisions, reducing the need for complex manual configuration and management while maintaining reliable overload protection across multiple instances.
Data Source
AI summary
A network device receives control plane (CP) traffic transiting a first mobile network. The network device determines CP traffic loads handled by network functions of the first mobile network and determines availability of CP resources within the first mobile network. The network device performs at least one of load balancing, network selection or overload protection, when switching the CP traffic from a source to a destination, based on the determined CP traffic loads and/or the determined availability of CP resources.