Edge Computing Session Breakout for Roaming 5G UEs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In the context of 5G wireless communication systems, existing technologies face challenges in supporting edge computing services for roaming user equipment (UE) by effectively managing session breakouts and configuring policies for quality of service (QoS) and usage monitoring in visited networks, as current session management and policy control functions do not adequately associate policies during session creation.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus are introduced to configure and apply policies for roaming UE sessions, involving the selection of a policy control function (PCF) to determine and transmit session management policies, and configure user plane paths, ensuring seamless edge computing services by identifying UE requirements and providing policy-related information to session management functions in both visited and home networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If session management and policy control functions do not associate policies during session creation, then device complexity is reduced, but quality of service and usage monitoring cannot be properly supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the session management process into distinct phases: session creation, policy association, and policy enforcement. The SMF selects a PCF and associates policies during session creation, separating these functions to enable proper QoS support without overwhelming complexity in a single device
Solution Approach 2:
The PCF acts as an intermediary between the SMF and policy enforcement mechanisms. It receives session management requests, determines appropriate policies, and provides them to the SMF, which then enforces them. This intermediary structure enables comprehensive QoS support while distributing complexity across multiple specialized functions
2Adaptability or versatility
If edge computing services are supported for roaming UE, then service versatility is improved, but session management complexity increases due to visited and home network coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling session breakout to local data networks in visited networks while maintaining home network control where needed. The SMF can select to break out sessions locally for edge computing services, providing location-specific service quality without requiring complete rearchitecting of home-routed sessions
Solution Approach 2:
The session management system dynamically adapts between home-routed and local breakout modes based on service requirements. For edge computing services, the system dynamically selects local data network access, while for other services it maintains home network routing, providing versatility without permanent complexity
3Productivity
If policy association is performed during session creation, then productivity is improved through automated policy configuration, but loss of time occurs due to additional signaling overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The SMF performs preliminary policy association during session creation by selecting an appropriate PCF and obtaining policies before actual service delivery begins. This preliminary action automates the policy configuration process, improving productivity while the signaling overhead is consolidated into the initial session setup phase rather than being distributed across multiple subsequent interactions
Data Source
AI summary
A method of a visited session management function (V-SMF) supporting an edge computing (EC) service for a roaming user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes receiving a first request message for protocol data unit (PDU) session establishment of the roaming UE from an access and mobility management function (AMF), the first request message including a first indication indicating supportability of session breakout (SBO) of a home routed (HR) roaming session in a visited network, and a session management policy indication for supporting the EC service through HR roaming, selecting a visited policy control function (V-PCF) providing an SBO policy for supporting the EC service for the HR roaming session according to the first request message, and transmitting a second request message requesting the EC service through the HR roaming session to the V-PCF, the second request message including an SBO requesting indication for the HR roaming session.