Dynamic UPF Load Control Through SMF Policy Rules
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing user traffic in wireless communication networks, particularly in the user plane of 5G networks, leads to overload issues, which existing load control procedures in traditional 3GPP networks are inadequate to address effectively, often resulting in high costs for network operators and negative user experiences.
Innovation Solution
Implementing load control mechanisms through a Session Management Function (SMF) that installs load reduction policies in User Plane Functions (UPF) based on load reports, identifying users causing excessive load and applying policies to reduce traffic, such as bandwidth limitations or traffic shaping, to mitigate overload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional load control procedures are used in 3GPP networks, then network operators can maintain basic network operation, but the networks cannot effectively address user plane overload issues leading to high costs and negative user experiences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic load control by enabling the SMF to receive real-time load reports from UPFs and dynamically install load reduction policy rules based on current network conditions. The system transitions from static traditional load control to dynamic adaptive control, allowing the network to respond in real-time to changing traffic patterns and overload conditions, thereby improving reliability while optimizing cost efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the user plane handles increasing user traffic, then network coverage and connectivity are maintained, but the user plane becomes increasingly overloaded compared to the control plane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the UPF continuously monitors its own load status and sends load reports to the SMF. The SMF uses this feedback information to determine when and how to install load reduction policy rules. This closed-loop feedback system enables the network to detect overload conditions and implement corrective actions automatically, maintaining adaptability while preventing reliability issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters by dynamically adjusting load reduction policy rules based on real-time load reports. The SMF modifies parameters such as traffic shaping thresholds, bandwidth limits, and priority levels according to current network conditions. This parameter adaptation allows the user plane to handle varying traffic loads effectively, maintaining capacity while preventing overload.
3Productivity
If network operators expand network infrastructure to handle increased traffic, then network capacity is improved, but the cost of network expansion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the network to self-regulate and self-optimize by having the UPF autonomously monitor its load and the SMF automatically install appropriate policy rules without requiring manual network expansion. The system serves itself by using existing infrastructure resources more efficiently through intelligent load management, thereby improving network capacity while avoiding the costs associated with physical infrastructure expansion.
Data Source
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AI summary
A User Plane Function, UPF (35), sends a load report to a Session Management Function, SMF (45). Responsive to receiving the load report from the UPF (35), the SMF (45) installs a load reduction policy rule in the UPF (35). The load reduction policy rule comprises a criterion for identifying one or more users subject to the load reduction policy rule. The UPF (35) selectively applies the load reduction policy rule to user plane traffic of the one or more users based on the criterion.