External MPTCP Proxy for 5G ATSSS Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G communication networks face limitations in deploying Multi-Path Transmission Control Protocol (MPTCP) proxy functionality external to the User Plane Function (UPF), which restricts operator flexibility and the extension of 3GPP Access Traffic Steering, Switching, and Splitting (ATSSS) architecture for additional IP connectivity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing MPTCP proxy external to the UPF, allowing the Session Management Function (SMF) or UPF to select and distribute ATSSS-related rules to an external MPTCP proxy using proprietary interfaces or extensions to existing protocols, enabling flexible deployment and additional IP connectivity through updated ATSSS rules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If MPTCP proxy functionality is implemented internal to the UPF, then device integration is simplified, but operator flexibility and adaptability are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The MPTCP proxy functionality is extracted from the UPF and implemented as an external entity. The patent describes an external MPTCP proxy that communicates with the UPF through standardized interfaces, allowing the proxy to be independently deployed and configured. This extraction enables operators to deploy the proxy in different locations (centralized or distributed) without modifying the UPF core functionality, thereby improving operator flexibility while maintaining clear functional boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an external MPTCP proxy as an intermediary component between the UPF and the MPTCP endpoints. This intermediary handles MPTCP-specific operations (connection management, path selection, data segmentation) while the UPF focuses on packet forwarding. The intermediary approach allows the proxy to be updated, configured, or replaced without affecting the UPF, thus improving adaptability while maintaining system modularity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If MPTCP proxy is integrated within UPF, then system architecture is simplified, but extension of ATSSS architecture for additional IP connectivity is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the MPTCP proxy functionality from the UPF, allowing independent deployment and configuration of each component. The external proxy can be deployed as a separate network element that communicates with the UPF through standardized interfaces. This segmentation enables the ATSSS architecture to be extended with additional IP connectivity options without requiring modifications to the UPF core, as the external proxy can be independently adapted to support new connectivity types.
Solution Approach 2:
The external MPTCP proxy is designed as a universal component that can support multiple IP connectivity types and ATSSS scenarios. The patent describes the proxy's ability to handle different access types (3GPP, non-3GPP) and implement various ATSSS rules. This multi-functionality allows the ATSSS architecture to be extended for additional IP connectivity without requiring separate specialized components for each connectivity type, thereby improving architectural extensibility while maintaining manageable complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A 5G network having a multi-path transport protocol (MPTP) proxy external to the user plane function (UPF). The session management function (SMF) provides address information of the external MPTP proxy to user equipment (UE) and distributes access traffic steering, switching, and splitting (ATSSS)-related rules to the UE, the UPF, and the external MPTP proxy. The external MPTP proxy receives, from the UPF, (i) 3GPP uplink data transmitted by the UE via a 3GPP radio access network (RAN) and (ii) non-3GPP uplink data transmitted by the UE via a non-3GPP RAN, combines the 3GPP and non-3GPP uplink data to form network uplink data for a data network. The external MPTP proxy also divides received network downlink data into 3GPP downlink data and non-3GPP downlink data, and provides the 3GPP and non-3GPP downlink data to the UPF for transmission to the UE via the 3GPP RAN and the non-3GPP RAN, respectively.