Local Breakout for PLMN Traffic in Non-Public Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G wireless communication systems, there is a challenge in providing privacy and meeting quality of service (QoS) requirements when user equipment (UE) accesses public land mobile network (PLMN) services through a non-public network, due to potential privacy breaches, latency issues, and increased expenses associated with traffic transport.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method for local breakout at the non-public network, which involves determining criteria for enabling local breakout, configuring the UE for local breakout, and encrypting traffic to ensure privacy, using a combination of network-based and UE-based solutions, including the use of uplink classifiers and branching points in user plane functions to steer traffic and manage quality of service.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traffic is routed through PLMN when accessing non-public network, then network service availability is improved, but privacy is compromised and latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork service availabilityVSAvoidprivacy breach

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments traffic into two categories: traffic that can be routed through PLMN and traffic that must be routed locally. The uplink classifier divides user plane traffic based on traffic flow templates, allowing sensitive traffic to be steered through local breakout while non-sensitive traffic uses PLMN routing. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by protecting privacy for specific traffic types while maintaining PLMN routing for others.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an uplink classifier as an intermediary component in the user plane function. This intermediary inspects uplink traffic, matches it against traffic flow templates, and steers traffic appropriately - either through local breakout or PLMN routing. The intermediary enables dynamic decision-making that balances privacy protection with service availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traffic is routed through PLMN when accessing non-public network, then network service availability is improved, but latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork service availabilityVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments traffic based on QoS requirements and latency sensitivity. Time-sensitive traffic is identified through traffic flow templates and routed through local breakout to avoid PLMN transport delays. Non-time-sensitive traffic continues to use PLMN routing. This segmentation resolves the latency issue for critical traffic while maintaining service availability through PLMN for other traffic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary classification of traffic flows before routing decisions are made. Traffic flow templates are pre-configured with QoS parameters and latency requirements. The uplink classifier uses these pre-defined templates to quickly determine the appropriate routing path, enabling low-latency routing decisions without complex real-time analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If local breakout is implemented at non-public network, then privacy and latency are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoidnetwork architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the uplink classifier automatically performs traffic classification and routing decisions based on pre-configured traffic flow templates. The system self-manages the complexity of local breakout implementation without requiring manual intervention for each traffic flow. This reduces the operational complexity burden while maintaining privacy protection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Object-affected harmful factors

If local breakout is implemented at non-public network, then privacy and latency are improved, but operational expenses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoidoperational expenses

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial local breakout rather than complete local breakout for all traffic. Only the portion of traffic that requires enhanced privacy or low latency is routed through local breakout, while the remainder continues to use PLMN routing. This partial action approach reduces the operational expenses associated with local breakout infrastructure while still achieving privacy protection for sensitive traffic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11997476B2Systems, methods, and devices for privacy and control of traffic accessing PLMN service at a non-public network

Publication Date: 2024.05.28 APPLE INC

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided to control traffic accessing a public land mobile network service (PLMN) at a non-public network to perform local breakout for selected traffic.