Core Network User Plane Device Multicast Overhead Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G communications, the existing multicast data transmission process in uMTC scenarios leads to increased overheads and decreased processing efficiency for core network user plane devices due to repeated replication and encapsulation of multicast data across multiple terminal devices within the same local area network.
Innovation Solution
A method where the core network control plane device identifies and sends the target access network device to the user plane device, allowing multicast data to be sent once to this access network device, reducing replication operations and overheads by using a first and second multicast table to map terminal devices to their respective access networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the core network user plane device sends multicast data to each terminal device individually through bearers, then each terminal device can receive the multicast data, but the quantity of replication and encapsulation operations increases significantly, causing increased overheads and decreased processing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an access network device as an intermediary to receive multicast data from the core network user plane device and then distribute it to multiple terminal devices locally. This mediator approach allows the core network device to send data once to the access network device, which then handles the multiple distributions, thereby reducing replication operations at the core network level while ensuring reliable delivery to all terminal devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the multicast data transmission process into two distinct stages: (1) unicast transmission from the core network user plane device to the access network device, and (2) local distribution from the access network device to multiple terminal devices. This segmentation allows the core network device to perform a single transmission operation while the access network device handles the multiple terminal device distributions, resolving the contradiction between reliable delivery and processing efficiency.
2Reliability
If the core network user plane device performs replication and GTP encapsulation for each terminal device, then all terminal devices can receive the multicast data, but the overheads of the core network user plane device increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The access network device serves as an intermediary that consolidates the data distribution function. The core network user plane device sends multicast data once to the access network device, which then performs the necessary replication and distribution to multiple terminal devices. This eliminates the need for the core network device to perform multiple replication and encapsulation operations, significantly reducing its overheads while maintaining reliable delivery to all terminal devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts the copying function from the core network user plane device to the access network device. Instead of the core network device creating multiple copies of the multicast data for each terminal device, it sends a single copy to the access network device, which then creates the necessary copies for local distribution. This reduces the overhead burden on the core network device while ensuring all terminal devices receive the data.
Data Source
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AI summary
A multicast data transmission method, a related device, and a communications system are provided. The method includes: receiving, by a core network control plane device, a multicast message from a core network user plane device, where the multicast message carries an identifier of a source terminal device sending multicast data and an identifier of a target multicast group to which the source terminal device belongs; and sending an identifier of a target access network device that is to receive the multicast data to the core network user plane device based on the identifier of the source terminal device, the identifier of the target multicast group, and a first multicast table, where the target access network device is an access network device accessed by a terminal device that belongs to the target multicast group in a target local area network, the target local area network is a local area network to which the source terminal device belongs, and the first multicast table includes identifiers of terminal devices that join a local area network, an identifier of the local area network to which the terminal devices belong, an identifier of a multicast group to which the terminal devices belong, and an identifier of an access network device accessed by the terminal devices. According to this application, overheads of the core network user plane device are reduced.