Multicast Ingress Node Selection for Efficient 5G RAN Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G networks face inefficiencies in switching between unicast and multicast delivery methods, leading to suboptimal resource management and increased load on application servers due to end-to-end switching on a per-cell basis, especially in deployments with CU-DU split RAN architecture.
Innovation Solution
A method for selecting an ingress node for a multicast distribution session by configuring a user plane handling component, such as a UPF, to manage incoming data and reserve resources, using a database to store information on RAN nodes and update configurations dynamically based on UE requests and changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If end-to-end switching between unicast and multicast is implemented on a per-cell basis, then service flexibility is improved, but core network resource management becomes inefficient and application server load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a session management function (SMF) as an intermediary between the radio access network and the core network. The SMF receives multicast session establishment requests from application servers, manages the PDU sessions for multicast groups, and coordinates with user plane functions (UPF) to establish efficient data paths. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of per-cell switching decisions from the core network, allowing flexible multicast service delivery while maintaining efficient resource management at the core network level.
2Ease of manufacture
If multicast distribution sessions are established without centralized ingress node selection, then deployment simplicity is improved, but network resource wastage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the session management function (SMF) proactively select and configure an ingress node (upstream PDU session anchor) before multicast data transmission begins. The SMF determines the optimal ingress node based on network topology and multicast group distribution, pre-establishes the data path through user plane functions (UPF), and configures multicast distribution parameters in advance. This preliminary configuration ensures efficient resource utilization from the start of multicast transmission, avoiding network resource wastage while maintaining deployment simplicity through automated SMF-driven management.
3Productivity
If centralized ingress node management is implemented, then network resource efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the session management function (SMF) to handle multiple functions within a single network element. The SMF not only manages PDU sessions for individual users but also coordinates multicast session establishment, selects ingress nodes, configures user plane functions (UPF) for multicast distribution, and manages the interaction between unicast and multicast delivery modes. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a centralized control function while maintaining efficient resource management, avoiding the need for multiple specialized components and simplifying the overall system architecture.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for selecting the ingress node for a multicast distribution session are provided. One method may include receiving a request to join a multicast session, and checking a database to determine whether an ingress node for the multicast session has already been assigned or configured to handle a corresponding multicast distribution session by passing received data towards radio nodes within the multicast distribution session.