Dedicated Tunnel User Plane Reporting for MEC Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the MEC scenario, user plane information reporting to the PCF or AF is inefficient due to a long reporting path, leading to packet loss and delayed adjustments in bit rate or policy, affecting user service experience.
Innovation Solution
A method for efficient user plane information reporting involving the establishment of dedicated tunnels between network elements like RAN and UPF, using parameter information to indicate reporting conditions, and employing dedicated QFIs to convey congestion or delay information directly in packet headers or metadata, thereby simplifying protocol design and ensuring timely policy adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If user plane information is reported based on the existing path (RAN-AMF-SMF-PCF/AF), then the network architecture maintains centralized control, but the reporting path is long causing delayed policy adjustments and packet loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the information reporting path by establishing dedicated tunnels between RAN and UPF for user plane information, separating the control plane (AMF-SMF-PCF) from the user plane information flow. This segmentation allows user plane information to be reported directly without traversing the entire control plane path, reducing latency while maintaining centralized control for policy decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dedicated tunnels as intermediary communication channels between RAN and UPF. These tunnels act as direct mediators for user plane information, bypassing the lengthy control plane path while still allowing the control plane elements to receive and process the information when needed for policy adjustments.
2Speed
If MEC is deployed at the sinking UPF to provide low-delay services, then service proximity to users is improved, but the control plane elements (AMF, PCF) remain far from users causing reporting inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into control plane elements (AMF, PCF) that remain centralized for policy management, and user plane elements (UPF, RAN) that can be deployed at the edge for low-latency service delivery. The dedicated tunnel mechanism bridges these segments, allowing edge-deployed UPF to efficiently report user plane information without requiring control plane elements to be physically close to users.
3Productivity
If dedicated tunnels are established between RAN and UPF for user plane information reporting, then reporting efficiency is improved, but network element interconnection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes dedicated tunnels between RAN and UPF during the initial session setup or modification phase, so that when user plane information needs to be reported, the communication path is already in place. This preliminary action avoids the need to dynamically create tunnels during urgent reporting scenarios, reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dedicated tunnels established between RAN and UPF serve multiple functions: they carry user plane information for reporting, support traffic steering, and enable congestion indication. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each function, simplifying the overall network architecture despite the added tunnel infrastructure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A user plane information reporting method and an apparatus are provided. The method includes: obtaining, by a session management network element, parameter information, and initiating, by the session management network element, establishment of a dedicated tunnel between a first communications apparatus and a second communications apparatus, where the parameter information is used by the session management network element to indicate the first communications apparatus to report user plane information when a reporting condition is met; and sending, by the session management network element, a first rule to the first communications apparatus based on the parameter information, where the first rule is used to indicate the first communications apparatus to send a packet to the second communications apparatus through the dedicated tunnel when the reporting condition is met. According to the foregoing method, the session management network element may use the first rule to indicate the first communications apparatus to send the packet to the second communications apparatus through the dedicated tunnel when the reporting condition is met. The second communications apparatus only needs to detect whether the packet is received through the dedicated tunnel, to determine reporting of the user plane information, thereby simplifying a logical function of the second communications apparatus.