Direct UE-to-UE Communication Without DNAI Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G communication systems face challenges in direct peer-to-peer communication between user equipment (UE) without a data center, as they rely on data network access identifiers (DNAI) for traffic routing, leading to increased latency and traffic delays.
Innovation Solution
An application function (AF) is introduced to detect and facilitate direct peer-to-peer communication between UEs without a DNAI, by instructing the network to set up communication, gathering information during packet data unit session establishment, and coordinating connectivity based on received information, while distinguishing between UE-app and UE-UE communication to optimize UPF location and reduce latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If direct peer-to-peer communication between UEs is implemented without DNAI, then latency is reduced and communication speed improves, but network routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an Application Function (AF) as an intermediary entity that mediates between UEs seeking direct communication and the core network. The AF receives communication requests from UEs, determines appropriate routing paths without requiring DNAI, and coordinates with the Session Management Function (SMF) to establish direct peer-to-peer connections. This intermediary approach simplifies the routing complexity by centralizing the decision-making logic in the AF while enabling low-latency direct communication between UEs.
2Ease of operation
If data center routing through DNAI is used, then network management and traffic routing are simplified, but latency increases and communication efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication path into two distinct parts: control plane management (handled by SMF and core network using existing DNAI mechanisms) and user plane data transmission (established directly between UEs without DNAI routing). This segmentation allows the network to maintain simplified management through the control plane while enabling low-latency direct communication in the user plane, effectively resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and communication latency.
3Productivity
If direct UE-to-UE communication is established without DNAI, then traffic delays are reduced, but session management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables UEs to self-configure direct peer-to-peer communication paths by providing them with the necessary routing information and parameters from the Application Function. Once the AF determines the optimal direct path and provides routing parameters to the UEs, they can autonomously establish and maintain direct connections without continuous network intervention. This self-service mechanism reduces traffic delays while keeping session management complexity manageable through initial network-assisted configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
Method, apparatus and computer program product for an application function in a communications network detecting a request from a user equipment for direct peer-to-peer communication with at least one other user equipment, where the direct communication is performed without an application in a data center identified by a data network access identifier, instructing the network to set up said direct communication with the at least one other user equipment gathering information, during establishment/deestablishment of a packet data unit session with user equipment, of the at least one other user equipment participating in the direct communication, and coordinating connectivity between the user equipment and the other participating user equipment based on the received information.