Multicast PDU Session Resource Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3GPP networks face inefficiencies in transmitting data to multiple terminals, as they require multiple unicast PDU sessions and significant transmission resources, with no existing solution for using a single User Plane Function (UPF) to send multicast data to multiple terminals.
Innovation Solution
A method where a terminal initiates a PDU session modification procedure, triggering a session management network element to select a multicast User Plane network element, allowing the same multicast data to be sent to multiple terminals using this element, thereby optimizing resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple unicast PDU sessions are established to send data to multiple terminals, then data transmission to each terminal is reliable, but transmission resources are excessively consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple unicast PDU sessions into a single multicast PDU session. The session management network element receives a multicast session establishment request, selects a multicast user plane network element, and establishes one multicast PDU session that serves multiple terminals simultaneously, thereby reducing resource consumption while maintaining transmission reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The multicast user plane network element is designed to serve multiple terminals through a single PDU session. The session management network element enables this multi-functionality by configuring the multicast session to deliver data to multiple destination terminals, making the single session universally applicable to multiple recipients
2Reliability
If multiple unicast PDU sessions are used for multicast data transmission, then each terminal receives data reliably, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple session management operations into a single multicast session establishment process. Instead of managing multiple separate unicast sessions, the session management network element handles one multicast session that inherently serves multiple terminals, thereby reducing system complexity while ensuring reliable data delivery to all terminals
3Productivity
If a single UPF is used to send multicast data to multiple terminals, then resource utilization is improved, but no existing solution supports this functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by defining the multicast session establishment procedure before actual multicast data transmission is needed. The session management network element pre-configures the multicast user plane network element and establishes the multicast PDU session structure in advance, enabling efficient resource utilization when multicast transmission is required
Solution Approach 2:
The session management network element acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the application server and the multicast user plane network element. It receives multicast session establishment requests, selects appropriate multicast user plane network elements, and configures the necessary parameters, thereby enabling a solution where a single UPF serves multiple terminals
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a communication method and apparatus, to transmit multicast data by using a same multicast user plane network element. The method may include: A first session management network element receives a first request used to request to use a first PDU session to transmit multicast data, and obtains identification information of a multicast user plane network element based on identification information of the multicast data. Alternatively, a mobility management network element receives a PDU session establishment request for establishing a multicast PDU session, and sends, based on the PDU session establishment request, the PDU session establishment request to a session management network element that manages a multicast user plane network element. Alternatively, a first session management network element obtains forwarding configuration information or QoS context information of multicast data, and sends, to a second session management network element, first path information used to establish a transmission path for multicast data transmission between a multicast user plane network element and a unicast user plane network element, or second path information used to establish a transmission path between the multicast user plane network element and an access network device.