Direct RAN-to-UPF User-Plane Tunnel Initiation for Low-Latency Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G communications networks experience significant latency during handover events due to the delay in selecting and configuring a new User Plane Function (UPF) for wireless devices, which is unacceptable for ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) services.
Innovation Solution
A radio access network node directly transmits a message to a user plane core network node, including identifiers for the wireless device and session, and a downlink tunnel endpoint identifier, enabling the UPF to establish a user-plane tunnel without reconfiguration by the SMF, thus reducing latency in uplink and downlink data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the SMF selects and configures a new UPF following UE handover to a target RAN node, then the user plane tunnel can be properly established for the target node, but significant latency is introduced in uplink and downlink data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the target RAN node proactively initiate user plane tunnel establishment to the UPF immediately after handover, before the SMF completes its configuration process. The target RAN node sends a message to the UPF containing necessary tunnel parameters (including downlink tunnel endpoint identifier) right away, enabling data transmission to start without waiting for the SMF's sequential configuration, thus reducing latency while maintaining proper tunnel establishment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the target RAN node as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the handover event and the SMF's UPF configuration. The target RAN node directly communicates with the UPF to establish the user plane tunnel, acting as a mediator that enables data transmission to proceed in parallel with the SMF's configuration process rather than waiting sequentially, thereby reducing overall latency
2Reliability
If the SMF performs UPF selection and configuration through standardized signaling flows, then proper network control and logging are maintained, but the process introduces considerable delay unacceptable for URLLC services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the target RAN node initiate user plane tunnel establishment to the UPF immediately after handover, before the SMF completes its configuration process. The target RAN node sends a message to the UPF containing necessary tunnel parameters (including downlink tunnel endpoint identifier) right away, enabling data transmission to start without waiting for the SMF's sequential configuration, thus reducing latency while maintaining proper tunnel establishment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuity of useful action by allowing data transmission to proceed continuously without interruption while the SMF's configuration process completes in the background. The user plane tunnel is established and data can flow immediately, and the SMF's configuration follows without stopping the data flow, ensuring continuous service for URLLC applications
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect provides a method performed by a radio access network node in a telecommunications network. The method comprises: responsive to detection of a trigger event associated with a wireless device having a connection to the telecommunications network via the radio access network node or seeking to establish a connection to the telecommunications network via the radio access network node, transmitting, directly to a user plane core network node, a message initiating establishment of a user-plane tunnel for the connection between the radio access network node and the user plane core network node. The message comprises one or more of: an indication of an identifier of the wireless device; and an indication of an identifier of a session for the wireless device, and further comprises an indication of a downlink tunnel endpoint identifier of the radio access network node.