Dynamic UPF Load Balancing for 5G Service Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network provisioning systems face challenges in efficiently managing computing resources across different types of computing tasks, leading to increased overhead and potential overutilization or underutilization of resources in 5G wireless networks.
Innovation Solution
The system dynamically provisions networking services by initializing first and second user plane functions (UPFs) for service areas, determining load thresholds, and strategically connecting user equipment to either UPF based on current and future load predictions to optimize resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple user plane functions (UPFs) are deployed to serve different service areas, then service coverage and reliability are improved, but device complexity and resource overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The service area is segmented into multiple non-overlapping tracking areas, each served by a dedicated UPF. This segmentation allows the network to distribute user equipment across multiple UPFs based on location, improving service reliability and continuity while managing complexity through clear territorial division.
Solution Approach 2:
Each UPF is designed with multi-functionality to serve both its primary service area and secondary service areas of other UPFs. This universal capability allows any UPF to take over service for user equipment in any tracking area, ensuring service continuity during failures or maintenance without increasing overall system complexity.
2Productivity
If user equipment is always connected to the primary UPF in its service area, then connection simplicity is maintained, but resource utilization efficiency decreases due to overprovisioning or underutilization
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines which UPF should serve user equipment based on real-time load conditions. Instead of static primary/secondary assignments, the network can flexibly redirect user equipment between UPFs to balance load, improving resource utilization efficiency while maintaining simple connection management through automated decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors load conditions on each UPF and uses this feedback to make intelligent routing decisions. When a primary UPF becomes overloaded, the system detects this condition and redirects user equipment to alternative UPFs with available capacity, optimizing resource utilization without requiring complex manual intervention.
3Reliability
If load threshold values are set low to prevent overutilization, then reliability is improved, but productivity decreases due to frequent reconnections and service interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system proactively redirects user equipment from primary to secondary UPFs when load approaches threshold levels, before actual overutilization occurs. This preliminary action prevents service degradation and maintains reliability while avoiding frequent reconnections, as the transition happens smoothly during normal operation rather than during crisis conditions.
4Productivity
If dynamic load-based routing is implemented, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but device complexity and computational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The provisioning system automatically monitors its own load conditions and makes self-directed routing decisions without external intervention. Each UPF reports its load status, and the system autonomously determines optimal routing, improving resource utilization efficiency while managing complexity through automation rather than manual configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and method dynamically determine provisioning of networking services. A service area is serviced by a first user plane function (UPF) as a primary service area and by a second UPF as a secondary service area. A request is received from a user equipment to connect to a network, and a location of the user equipment is identified. Determination is made whether the location is in the first service area. A first load of the first UPF is determined. In response to the first load not exceeding a load threshold value, the user equipment is connected to the first UPF. In response to the first load exceeding the load threshold value, the user equipment is connected to the second UPF when a second load thereof does not exceed the first load or to the first UPF when the second load exceeds the first load.