IMS User Plane Component Selection via Platform Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G NG core networks, the separation of control and user planes complicates the selection of optimal user plane components for IMS sessions, leading to increased latency and reduced reliability due to the need to coordinate between separate control and user plane elements.
Innovation Solution
The IMS network receives platform information from the core network's subscriber management components to identify the location of user plane function (UPF) platform devices, allowing it to select user plane components based on proximity, thereby coordinating with the core network to reduce latency and improve reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the control plane and user plane are separated in 5G NG core networks, then the network architecture becomes more flexible and scalable, but the selection of optimal user plane components for IMS sessions becomes more complex and latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the AMF provide platform information (including UPF location) to the IMS network in advance, before the IMS session is established. This allows the IMS network to pre-identify the optimal user plane component based on the UPF location, eliminating the need for complex coordination during session establishment and reducing latency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the AMF acts as a mediator that bridges the control plane and user plane separation. By providing platform information about UPF location to the IMS network, the AMF enables the IMS network to make informed decisions about user plane component selection without requiring direct coordination between control and user plane elements during session establishment.
2Loss of information
If the IMS network coordinates with separate control and user plane elements, then comprehensive network information is available, but the coordination overhead increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential information needed for user plane component selection (platform information including UPF location) from the control plane elements and provides it directly to the IMS network. This extraction eliminates the need for complex multi-element coordination while maintaining the necessary information for reliable session establishment.
3Ease of operation
If user plane components are selected based on control plane information, then the selection process is simplified, but the selection accuracy and optimality are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using location-specific platform information (UPF location) to determine the optimal user plane component. Instead of using generic control plane information, the system uses the specific geographic/topological location of the UPF to select the nearest user plane component, thereby improving selection accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity through automated proximity-based selection.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples described herein involve an internet protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) network. An example process may include receiving, from a user equipment (UE), a request for an IMS session. The IMS session may be between the IMS network and the UE. The process may include requesting a subscriber management component to provide platform information associated with the IMS session. The platform information may identify a platform device that hosts a user plane function (UPF) for the IMS session. The process may include receiving, from the subscriber management component, the platform information and selecting, based on the platform information, a user plane component of the IMS network. The user plane component may perform a user plane operation associated with the IMS session. The process may include causing the user plane component to perform the user plane operation for the IMS session.