User Plane Session Forwarding for Low-Latency Edge Network Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current edge computing technologies face high transmission delays and communication costs in the process of edge applications obtaining data from central networks, primarily due to non-3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) communication methods.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a communication method and apparatus that utilizes user plane network elements to transmit data through sessions, modifying source and destination addresses to reduce transmission delays and eliminate the need for dedicated lines, thereby reducing communication costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If non-3GPP communication manner is used for edge application to obtain central network data, then edge computing functionality is enabled, but transmission delay increases and communication costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a session management network element as an intermediary between the edge application and the central network. This intermediary manages user plane network elements and coordinates data transmission through sessions, enabling efficient communication while maintaining edge computing functionality. The session management element resolves the contradiction by providing a standardized 3GPP-based communication framework that reduces transmission delay compared to non-3GPP approaches.
2Adaptability or versatility
If non-3GPP communication manner is used for edge application to obtain central network data, then edge computing functionality is enabled, but communication costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal session management framework that can handle multiple types of edge computing applications through a common architecture. The session management network element and user plane network elements provide multi-functional support for different edge services, eliminating the need for application-specific communication infrastructure. This universality reduces communication costs by leveraging shared network resources and standardized protocols rather than requiring dedicated non-3GPP communication paths for each edge application.
3Reliability
If dedicated line is laid between first application and second data network, then data transmission reliability is improved, but communication costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data transmission function from the application layer and moves it to the network layer through session management. Instead of requiring dedicated physical lines between applications and data networks, the solution extracts the reliability assurance mechanism into the session management framework, which handles routing, forwarding, and error management at the network level. This separation allows standard network infrastructure to provide reliable transmission without the high costs of dedicated lines.
4Loss of time
If session-based transmission is implemented, then transmission delay is reduced and dedicated lines are eliminated, but network element complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network functionality into distinct modular components: session management network elements that handle session establishment and coordination, and user plane network elements that handle actual data forwarding. This segmentation allows each component to have specialized, simplified functions while collectively providing low-latency session-based transmission. The modular architecture reduces overall system complexity by distributing functions across multiple specialized elements rather than requiring complex monolithic network devices.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a communication method and apparatus, to reduce a transmission delay and communication costs in a process in which an edge application obtains network data. The method includes: A first user plane network element receives first data, where a source address of the first data is a first address, the first address is an address of a first application, the first application serves a terminal device, and the first application corresponds to a first data network; and the first user plane network element sends the first data to a second user plane network element through a first session, where the first session is a session of the terminal device or a session corresponding to the first application, and the second user plane network element corresponds to a second data network; and/or the first user plane network element receives second data from the second user plane network element through the first session, where a destination address of the second data is an address of the first session or the first address; and the first user plane network element sends the second data to the first application.