CU-UP Path Quality Measurement for Wireless Network Slices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems lack an effective method for simultaneous measurement and monitoring of path quality per slice, service, and terminal, which is essential for identifying latency and throughput degradation in packet transmission.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus utilizing a central unit-user plane (CU-UP) in a wireless communication system to receive and update packet transmission information, including quality of service (QoS) flow, slice, and latency parameters, and transmit this information to a distributed unit (DU), with an element management system (EMS) configuring report policies for quality measurement and reporting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If path quality measurement is performed simultaneously per slice, service, and terminal, then measurement precision and monitoring capability are improved, but device complexity and system overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the path quality measurement into three independent dimensions: per-slice measurement, per-service measurement, and per-terminal measurement. Each dimension can be measured and monitored independently, allowing the system to achieve comprehensive measurement precision while managing complexity through modular organization. The measurement framework is divided into separate measurement units for each dimension, enabling selective activation based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a multi-dimensional measurement approach by adding slice, service, and terminal as separate measurement dimensions. Instead of measuring path quality in a single dimension, the system creates a three-dimensional measurement space where each dimension provides specific insights. This dimensional expansion enables simultaneous measurement of multiple parameters without requiring a completely new measurement system for each parameter.
2Reliability
If real-time path quality monitoring is implemented, then reliability of network service is improved, but use of energy and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic path quality measurement instead of continuous monitoring. The system performs measurements at predetermined intervals or when specific events occur (such as packet transmission completion), which reduces energy consumption while maintaining reliable quality assessment. This periodic action allows the network to monitor path quality without requiring constant active measurement, thereby lowering computational and energy resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The path quality measurement leverages existing packet transmission data and timestamps that are already being processed by the network. Instead of creating a separate energy-intensive monitoring infrastructure, the system uses the packet flow itself as the measurement medium, extracting quality information from the packet headers and transmission metadata that are already present in the network processing pipeline.
3Measurement precision
If detailed path quality information is collected per slice, service, and terminal, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of information and data processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary path quality information from the packet transmission process. Instead of collecting all possible packet metadata, the system selectively extracts specific fields such as timestamps, packet identifiers, and quality indicators that are relevant for path quality assessment. This extraction approach minimizes data processing overhead while maintaining the precision needed for reliable quality measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality measurement by tailoring the measurement granularity to specific local requirements. Each slice, service, or terminal can have its path quality measured at the appropriate level of detail based on its specific needs. This allows the system to maintain high measurement precision for critical paths while using coarser measurement for less critical paths, thereby reducing overall information processing overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a central unit-user plane (CU-UP) in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes receiving information related to packet transmission from a user plane function (UPF), the information related to the packet transmission including a quality of service (QoS) flow provided, a slice provided with the QoS flow, an indicator indicating a terminal for receiving the QoS flow and a time parameter related to latency quality measurement, identifying a quality measurement value based on the received information related to the packet transmission, updating the received information related to the packet transmission based on the identified quality measurement value, and transmitting the updated information related to the packet transmission to a distributed unit (DU).