Core Network Path Switching for Multicast-to-Unicast Signaling Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
The long transmission path and large transmission delay of application layer control signaling occur when path switching is performed in mobile communications networks due to the DN being located outside the mobile communications network, necessitating processing.
Innovation Solution
A core network device initiates path switching by determining and indicating a unicast user plane gateway to send service data directly to the terminal, bypassing the need for external DN processing, thereby reducing transmission delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If application layer control signaling is transmitted to the data network for path switching processing, then path switching can be performed, but the transmission path becomes long and transmission delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the path switching control function from the external data network and relocates it to the mobile communication network's control plane session management network element. This allows the switching control signaling to remain within the mobile communication network boundary, eliminating the need to traverse external network paths and thereby reducing signaling transmission delay while maintaining path switching capability
Solution Approach 2:
The control plane session management network element acts as an intermediary that receives path switching requests from the application server, processes them within the mobile communication network, and coordinates the switching between multicast and unicast transmission paths. This intermediary function enables path switching without requiring direct communication with external data network elements, thus shortening the signaling path
2Reliability
If application layer control signaling is transmitted to the data network for path switching processing, then path switching can be performed, but the transmission path length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the path switching control function from the external data network and relocates it to the mobile communication network's control plane session management network element. This extraction removes the need for signaling to traverse external network paths, thereby shortening the overall transmission path length while preserving path switching functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dimensional structure of the signaling path by routing control signals through the mobile communication network's internal control plane rather than through the external data network. This dimensional reconfiguration of the signaling path reduces its length by eliminating unnecessary external network segments
Data Source
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AI summary
This application discloses a communication method and a communications apparatus, to resolve problems of a long transmission path and a large transmission delay of signaling that are caused because a DN to which application layer control signaling used to control path switching needs to be transmitted for processing in a process of the path switching is outside a mobile communications network. The method includes: receiving, by a first core network device, a request message from a terminal, where the request message is used to request to switch from a multicast mode to a unicast mode to transmit service data to be sent to the terminal; and indicating, by the first core network device based on the request message, a multicast user plane gateway and/or a service server corresponding to the terminal to send, to the terminal in the unicast mode, the service data to be sent to the terminal. This application relates to the field of communications technologies.